Local Skills Improvement Plans Released

Dan Graves Business West
10 July 2025

Business West Chambers of Commerce has released new Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) for Gloucestershire, the West of England and North Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, and Somerset (in partnership with Somerset Chamber of Commerce).

These LSIPs provide an employer-led assessment of current and emerging skills needs, alongside a clear programme of actions to better align education and training with labour market demand.

They provide a summary of:

  • The key sectors driving the economy and future growth
  • The main skills challenges facing employers
  • Current activity and collaboration across employers, providers and local partners
  • Priority actions to improve access to training and strengthen workforce development
  • Opportunities linked to major investments and emerging industries

Key themes

While each local area has distinct strengths, priorities, and dominant sectors, many skills challenges are shared. Several common priorities shaping skills across the region have been identified including:

  • Digital and AI capability
  •  Net zero and sustainability skills
  • Core employability skills
  • Recruitment and retention challenges
  • Access to training provision

Since their inception in 2021, the LSIPs have given employers a stronger voice in shaping local skills priorities. These reports are not an end point; they are a platform for continued action. Employers have been clear about the skills, behaviours and training access they need to grow, adapt and invest with confidence. Our role now is to help keep those conversations alive, strengthen collaboration across the system, and ensure local skills delivery continues to respond to real economic need.

Matt Tudge

Head of Skills, Business West

"Business West are proud to deliver the Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIP) on behalf of businesses, education and training providers and key stakeholders in the local area. LSIPs put employers at the heart of local skills planning, aligning training with real business need and strengthening collaboration with education providers to improve options for learners, and help businesses plan ahead."

Douglas Ure
CEO, Business West

 

"Somerset Chamber of Commerce is proud to help shape the 2026 Local Skills Improvement Plan, ensuring it reflects the real needs of businesses across the county. This plan sets out a shared commitment: to equip people with the skills they need, enable businesses to grow and compete and support a resilient, inclusive economy for Somerset. We look forward to continuing to work with partners across the system to turn these priorities into reality."

David Crew
Managing Director, Somerset Chambers of Commerce

 

You can download the full reports here:

Gloucestershire

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Download Gloucestershire LSIP here

West of England and North Somerset

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Download West of England and North Somerset LSIP here

Swindon and Wiltshire

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Download Swindon and Wiltshire LSIP here

Somerset

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Download Somerset LSIP here

If you have any questions about the findings in these reports, or would like support with your business skills needs or the actions listed in Annex B, please contact us.


Our skills advisors can also provide guidance on a variety of topics to help you attract, recruit, develop, and retain your workforce. You can find out more here.