Skills, trust and support for a stronger, fairer North East
Date published:
By Jessie KellyBaxter, senior policy advisor
Skills are at the heart of a strong regional economy. In the North East, where opportunities and challenges often sit side by side, improving access to skills and training is essential for long-term growth and social inclusion.
At the Chamber, we work with employers and education providers across the region through two Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs), in the Tees Valley and North of Tyne. By supporting, connecting and representing our members, we contribute to the development of a skilled workforce that can meet current and future demands.
We are proud to play a role in helping reshape the skills landscape in the North East. From cutting-edge welding facilities in the North of Tyne to advanced electrolyser training in the Tees Valley, and innovative tools like AI mannequins and 360-degree immersive learning rooms, this provision has been developed directly in response to what businesses across our region have told us they need.
But there are deeper issues we cannot ignore. The North East has the highest rate of economic inactivity in England, with over a quarter (26.9%) of the population not engaged in the workforce. Our recent LSIP research also revealed that nearly a third of adults in the region, 23.1%, struggle with literacy – a fundamental skill that affects our ability to read, write, speak and fully participate in society. With such significant barriers to education and employment, more needs to be done to understand and address the underlying causes.
One way to approach this is to recognise that, as highlighted in the LSIP communications report, familiar and supportive spaces, along with relationships built on trust, are essential for boosting confidence. This is particularly important when tackling challenges such as adult illiteracy or a lack of functional skills. Trust helps individuals take the first step and can reduce the feelings of shame or stigma that often accompany these barriers. For many, the absence of this kind of supportive environment is a major reason they do not access the skills they need. This is especially true for people experiencing poverty, where the cycle of disadvantage can persist without the right support in place.
To explore these issues further, we are currently researching to better understand the link between poverty and access to the skills system, as part of our LSIP work. We know there are fantastic charities and businesses already making a difference in our region, and by identifying and addressing the barriers that remain, we aim to support a more inclusive and accessible skills system.
Through this ongoing work, we want to help build a stronger and fairer North East – a region where every individual has the opportunity to succeed, whatever their background or circumstances.