The latest phase of the LSIP is building on the early success of the initiative which has helped Warwickshire to meet current and future skills needs in the region over the past two years by producing key priorities and actions for those responsible for training and education.
That includes the UK Government, Skills England, Warwickshire County Council, district and borough councils, colleges, independent training providers, adult education services, universities, chambers and other regional stakeholders.
On the back of the success of the first phase, an even greater emphasis will now be given to devising solutions and will include a series of workshops with businesses to look at issues affecting different sectors of the economy.
Those workshops will cover Digital & Creative; Defence/Automotive/Cyber; Advanced Manufacturing; Transport & Logistics; Rural Economy; Tourism & Hospitality; Construction; and Health and will be taking place from February.
Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber is now recruiting three additional members of staff to help co-ordinate the workshops and develop the overall plan, which also includes online surveys, face-to-face meetings and telephone calls.
Corin Crane, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are thrilled to be continuing the great work that has begun over the past couple of years with the Local Skills Improvement Plan. The brilliant news is that LSIPs are here to stay now that they have been written into statute.
“Businesses in the region know the skills they need and by putting their voices at the centre of the conversation, training and skills provision can be designed to meet those requirements and develop the workforce for today and the future.
“Crucially, our next round of engagement includes looking at solutions as well as the issues because we really want to start moving the dial on developing the skills our employers need.”
Fay Winterburn, head of employability and skills at the Warwickshire Skills Hub, added: “There is a huge amount of work being undertaken in the county to improve skills which brings benefits to individuals and to employers.
“We’re pleased to be working with the Chamber on our LSIP and it’s vital that we continue to listen to what employers need but, also, to give them a voice in what solutions would work best for them and their staff.”
Details of the first workshops are:
Leadership Development – February 3 at Ashorne Hill
Digital Skills, AI, Adoption of New Technologies – February 10 at Warwick Racecourse
Workforce of the Future – February 11 at Weston Hall Hotel
