Business West, one of the largest Chambers of Commerce in the UK, has been chosen to run the local skills improvement plans (LSIPs) across Swindon and Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and the West of England.
The LSIPs will bring together employers, education, and training providers and other local stakeholders to set out the key priorities and changes needed in the area to ensure post-16 technical education and training prepares employees better for work.
The news comes as the latest ONS labour market statistics in the UK show the number of job vacancies in the UK have reached record levels.
Business West’s recent Quarterly Economic Survey results also found that just under half of businesses tried to recruit staff in Q2 of this year, its lowest rate since Q2 2021. However, against a backdrop of UK wide vacancies, the findings suggest businesses have given up efforts to secure new staff, fearing they may not be able to fill them.
Matt Tudge, Head of Skills Planning at Business West, said:
“We are delighted that we have been designated by the Secretary of State to develop plans to address the skills challenges faced by businesses in our region.
“With firms facing unprecedented challenges as the energy price crisis worsens and inflation increases, firms need to be assured that labour and skills shortages will be addressed to help them weather the storm.
“We will bring together local businesses, training providers and stakeholders to really understand the skills needed in the area and to enable economic growth that will benefit everyone in the region.
“The LSIPS will be an opportunity for businesses to shape how their future workforce will need to look to ensure business plans are delivered in the right way and to create a more modern, digital and sustainable workforce.”
Sara-Jane Watkins, Principal of South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, said:
“SGS College is really pleased to be working with Business West again on the development of an LSIP.
“We are especially keen as a college on working with other providers in a strategic and joined up way to ensure that the collective curriculum offered meets the needs of both young people as well as the county's workforce for the future.”
Carole Kitching, Principal and Chief Executive of New College Swindon and Swindon and Wiltshire Institute of Technology, said:
“We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Business West to develop and deliver a Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIPs) for our region.
“There has never been a more important time for Further and Higher Education to work hand in glove with employers to train people for the skills we need. The Swindon and Wiltshire LSIP will turbo charge our current and future relationships with employers to boost skills levels and drive the regional economy.”
Matthew Burgess, Principal of Gloucestershire College, said:
“Each year at Gloucestershire College we provide training for over 1500 employers. Employers in every sector are struggling to recruit staff with the skills needed for our local economy to thrive. The extent of skills shortages being reported is now unparalleled in my career.
“We look forward to working in partnership with Business West and the local business community on this vital piece of work.”
Andy Collop, Vice-Chancellor, Principal & CEO, Hartpury University and Hartpury College, said:
"Hartpury University and Hartpury College welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively on the development of the LSIP. Hartpury places great emphasis on employer liaison to ensure alignment of provision with current and emerging skills and labour gaps. As such, this piece of work is more important than ever given the evolving economy and associated challenges that lie ahead."
Claire Arbery, Director of West of England Institute of Technology, said:
“The work we undertook as part of the LSIP pilot has been a real catalyst for change in driving the employer voice further into the discussions around skills and technical learning and the future workforce skills needs.
“We are looking forward to seeing what comes forward as part of the next phase of the Plan process and supporting employers across the region to develop their current and future workforce.”
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