New government plan to elevate skills revealed
A fresh approach aimed at addressing skills shortages across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire has been unveiled today.
Known as the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), this initiative is a project under the UK Government’s Department for Education (DfE) looking to target economic, technological, environmental, and social challenges.
Its purpose is to establish a regional skills framework that centers around the needs of local businesses. This involves engaging with companies of all sizes and industries to comprehend the skills, qualifications, and attributes they require from their workforce.
The LSIP report, released today, outlines the specific needs of local businesses, taking into account recent workforce changes like the impact of Covid-related lockdowns, remote work, and shifts in how young individuals gain work experience.
18 actionable priorities have been presented that need adjustments from local training providers, councils, trade organisations, and other regional stakeholders by June 2025.
Natalie Gasson-McKinley MBE, the Local Lead for LSIP and author of the approved report, as well as the Development Manager at FSB, said: “The LSIP encompasses both a structured methodology and a comprehensive blueprint, focusing on active engagement with employers. This approach ensures a thorough grasp of their critical skill deficiencies, challenges, and prospects, while aligning these requirements with local skills provision. It represents a bold stride towards the future, with the welfare of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire’s people and businesses at its core.
“A robust skills foundation in any locality is intimately tied to business efficiency and the well-being of individual employees. The opportunity to play a role in enhancing these vital facets has been truly rewarding. With the official release of the plan, I eagerly anticipate collaborating with our local educational institutions, independent training providers, governing bodies, skill development entities, and industry leaders to transform this vision into reality.”
