New project to focus on skills needs in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is to lead a new project which will look at the future skills needs of businesses in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, as well as technical education provision in the area.

By working with local employers and key education providers, the project will seek to set out the key priorities and changes needed to make post-16 technical education or training in the area more closely aligned with the skills needs of local employers and the local economy.

The Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) is an initiative funded by the Department for Education, which has selected FSB as the lead Employer Representative Body (ERB) to head up the LSIP in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

As part of the project, FSB will be holding a series of events during the autumn in conjunction with employers and education and training providers across the region.

This will influence the recommendations of a report to be completed by mid-2023.

FSB National chair, Martin McTague, said: “FSB has long encouraged and promoted the need for an employer-led skills agenda and so we’re delighted to have this opportunity to lead the development of this plan in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

“We look forward to working alongside employers, key education providers and local stakeholders to help shape the future skills and local provision in the area.”

FSB development manager for Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, Natalie Gasson-McKinley, said: “We’re keen to hear from and engage with a range of businesses to shine a spotlight on the skills employers most need in the workplace but struggle to find locally.

“We’ll work closely alongside key education providers in the region to build on the relationships between business and education and ensure practical solutions can be agreed to drive change locally.

“We’re confident this will be a ‘win-win’ scenario for all local employers finding the talent suited to their business needs, whilst boosting employability for young people in post-16 education.

“As we work towards producing the report next year we are keen to align with regional strategies and help ensure local businesses and people have the skills they need to thrive and grow in the future.”