Chamber driving change with business-led skills reports
Date published:
Businesses and education providers have experienced significant progress in addressing the region’s skills gaps following plans led by the Chamber.
The Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) place employers at the heart of the skills system and aim to take the region’s economy forward and boost opportunities for future generations.
Following publication of the Chamber’s North of Tyne and Tees Valley LSIPs, North East businesses have taken significant steps towards the priorities set out in the plans.
Local colleges have utilised the Local Skills Improvement Fund to put in place measures including new training facilities, such as virtual reality training, the introduction of industry-standard software to meet employer needs, and communication and digital skills bootcamps.
Rachel Anderson, Assistant Director of Policy at the Chamber, said: “To achieve regional economic growth, we need to create a highly skilled workforce that’s fit for the future. It’s key that we bring businesses and training providers together to close the skills gaps in the region and break down barriers.
“The Chamber’s LSIPs are aiming to do just that and have brought about significant first steps, including new medical and care training facilities, digitised catering facilities and centres of excellence in industrial construction, welding and electric vehicle technology.
“All of these facilities are aimed at ensuring we have the right skills in the right place at the right time.”
By consulting with and articulating the skills needs of employers, the Chamber is creating a skills and training blueprint that meets the needs of businesses as well as the wider community.
Renewable energy is a skills priority for the region and, through LSIP funding, Chamber member Newcastle College has invested in industry standard kit and equipment for students and co-designed their curriculum with employers, strengthening key partnerships.
Jon Ridley, Principal of Newcastle College, commented: “The college is an anchor institution, and we have an important role to play in developing the region’s future workforce.
“We place great importance on providing our learners with a high-quality learning experience, access to facilities that reflect industry, time to speak to and learn from employers and the opportunity to enhance their skills ready for a bright future and a great career.
“We have paid close attention to the recommendations of the LSIP and invested the associated funding to develop and deliver a curriculum that meets the skills needs of our region now and in the future.”
Jon continued: “Learners and teaching staff tell us they enjoy working with the state-of-the-art facilities in our Energy Academy. Being able to get hands-on practice with the tools and equipment has attracted individuals to consider a career in renewables, and our strong partnerships with local employers mean students finish their course work-ready, with the skills and attributes employers tell us they need and value.”
As a result of the LSIP, the college’s dedicated Energy Academy now includes a state-of-the-art fabrication and welding facility used in the teaching of the new T Level in Fabrication and Welding Technologies. This investment has attracted partnerships with major regional employers, who have co-created the programme content and committed to additional apprenticeships in this area.
New facilities have also been put in place at Northumberland College as well as all colleges in the Tees Valley.
Work goes on by the Chamber to deliver the LSIPs with new pieces of work looking at communication skills and how to develop more work and site experience for young people.
The Minister for Skills, The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern, said: “I welcome the publication of the Local Skills Improvement Plan Progress Reports for the North of Tyne and the Tees Valley. These reports set out progress made on meeting the skills needs of local employers.
“As well as being a valuable source of information for local skills deliverers, employers and stakeholders, the reports along with the LSIPs themselves, will provide important intelligence for the newly established Skills England.”
The Prime Minister and Education Secretary launched Skills England to bring together the fractured skills landscape and create a shared national ambition to boost the nation’s skills.
We will continue to work with local and national government to address the region’s skills gaps. In our recent Budget submission, we joined calls by the British Chambers of Commerce to commit to long-term funding for LSIPs beyond the current 2025 cut off point, to ensure they become integral to the fabric of the skills system.
Other measures include asking government to address the long-term under-investment in further education, as well as more flexibility around the Apprenticeship Levy.
The LSIPs project is supported by the Department for Education.
Click here to find out more about the North of Tyne and Tees Valley LSIPs.