Shape the future of skills in your sector: 4 ways to get involved
Skills gaps continue to present real challenges for businesses, whether that's difficulty recruiting, keeping pace with new technologies, or finding the right training to upskill staff.
The Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) bring together employers, local leaders, colleges, universities and independent training providers to identify and address these skills gaps and ensure provision aligns with business needs.
For this to happen effectively, we need your input and insights into:
- Your experience of current and emerging skills needs.
- The barriers to recruitment, retention, and upskilling.
- Local training and education provision to better support your business and the wider sector.
Business West runs the LSIPs for the West of England and North Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Somerset (in partnership with Somerset Chamber of Commerce). There’s plenty of ways for you to get involved and have your voice heard. We’ve listed four of them below...
1. Book a 1-2-1 meeting with our Business Engagement Team
Do you find it difficult to recruit the right people for your business? Is new technology changing the way your industry works? What should colleges and universities be teaching your future staff?
Our Business Engagement Team are offering 1-2-1 chats with businesses to discuss these topics and more. These meetings can take place online on MS teams or in person and typically last 30-45 minutes.
From Green skills, employing Gen Z and new technologies, to digital skills and upskilling, we want to hear from your business about your skills needs, successes, and challenges.
Find out more on our webpage and book a chat here.
2. Book a Skills Clinic with a Business Skills Advisor
Our experienced Business Skills Advisors offer the opportunity for businesses to receive workforce development support across a range of topics, whilst also feeding into the wider future skills strategy for your local area.
During the session, they can help with identifying the most relevant training providers, navigating apprenticeships, and finding the best training solutions for your business.
Additionally, they can offer support with internships and work experience, low-carbon and green initiatives, and the enhancement of workplace culture and wellbeing.
So, whether you need help with retention, finding provision or are curious about opportunities, we can help.
You can book a Skills Clinic with a Business Skills Advisor here.
3. Complete the Somerset LSIP survey
In partnership with Somerset Chamber of Commerce, we are running a survey to find out more about skills needs in Somerset.
This is a 5-minute survey for you to share your thoughts on the current skills landscape in Somerset and what future needs may be.
We’d appreciate if you could take the time to share your thoughts with us and help shape the future skills landscape of the local area.
4. Attend an online focus group
Our focus groups are held online, are one hour long, free to attend and divided by sector and location. Aimed at businesses, especially SMEs, focus groups give you the opportunity to have you say on skills needs.
During a focus group, our LSIP team will provide an update on the project, before leading a discussion across various topics, including challenges and opportunities facing the industry, sought after skillsets, training and emerging trends.
They work best when there is a good number of people in the virtual room, giving a variety of views from different businesses in the sector. It’s also a good chance to connect with other businesses.
We have finished our focus groups for this year but keep an eye out for more events coming in 2026!
We are looking at skills in the following sectors:
- Digital and Professional Services
- Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering
- Culture and Creative
- Construction
- Agri-Food and Land Stewardship
- Health and Social Care
- Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise
- Community Safety, Cleaning and Waste Collection
Your feedback will help us work with education providers to ensure the future workforce has the specific skills your business needs.
Find our future events on our Eventbrite page here - more coming soon!
There’s plenty of ways to have you voice heard on skills in your local area. Don’t wait to shape the future of skills, get in contact with us today. If you have any questions, thoughts or topics for discussion you can email us here.