Minister Smith heard about some of the successes in the West Midlands in the first phase of the LSIP – including bringing together further education colleges and training providers to offer a joined-up approach to businesses.
The discussion, staged in Birmingham, was chaired by Corin Crane, chief executive of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, which has taken the lead role on the West Midlands LSIP and is working alongside partners at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and Black Country Chamber of Commerce. Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber is also the employer representative body for the Warwickshire LSIP.
New statutory guidance for LSIPs has also been launched by Skills England, which recognises the critical role of higher and further education in the skills system.
Universities will work alongside colleges and independent training providers to ensure provision meets local labour market needs and supports people at all levels - from entry into work through to postgraduate qualifications.
LSIPs will be a key part of helping deliver the Government’s ambition for two-thirds of young people to participate in higher level learning - either academic, technical, or an apprenticeship - by age 25 – as set out in the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper.
Minister Smith said: “It is great to hear the progress that has been made here in the West Midlands and thank you to all of the partners for all of the work you have been doing.
“Global impact needs local knowledge and there is nobody more knowledgeable than those organisations and individuals who have been brought together on the LSIP. I would like to thank you for your leadership.
“There is a real opportunity to do even more in the second phase of LSIPs. We still need to research and be very granular about where the issues are but we also need to move to a point where we look at the solutions so we can shift the dial on skills.
“If you do that, you strengthen the economy of the region; provide opportunities for people in life to get into well-paid work; you increase the tax take; and you improve society.”
Corin said: “The West Midlands and Warwickshire LSIP has been an incredibly successful tool that has put local employers at the heart of skills planning and built a powerful collaboration between business, providers and funders.
“As we all know, skills needs are ever evolving, so it is vitally important that this is seen an ongoing piece of work to engage with businesses and ensure the skills and training they need to grow are being met.
“We welcome the Minister’s commitment to the LSIPs with funding for this second stage, as we continue to campaign for our local employers and their need for more flexible skills funding and shorter, bespoke courses, a focus on recruitment, flexibilities with the apprenticeship levy and genuine sectoral focus for our key industries.”
Suzie Branch-Haddow, Chair of Skills West Midlands and Warwickshire and Vice Principal at BMet College, said: “LSIPs are enabling the FE sector to strengthen collaboration with the business community, helping us to further understand and respond to regional skills needs.
“Their tangible impact can be seen in how FE providers, both colleges and independent training providers, have come together to offer a unified, branded service that provides employers with a clear, single point of access – a request made by businesses in the LSIP research. By simplifying the landscape and delivering a shared service to businesses, we’re living our commitment: Our Business is Your Business.”
Dr Rebecca Gater, Principal and Chief Executive, Solihull College & University Centre, said: “LSIPs have transformed the way colleges and employers work together, fostering genuine collaboration to tackle skills gaps. We are delighted to support the second round of LSIPs and refreshed guidance, which will build on this partnership approach and deliver even greater impact for our communities.”
Alison Torrens, Universities West Midlands, said: “Universities did a great deal of work in the research element of the first LSIP but we were not, collectively, seen as core delivery partners. That is something we can address in this second phase as we have a critical role to play.”
Emily Stubbs, Head of Policy at Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, said: “We have got so much evidence and research now that we can now go out to more businesses and real look at the solutions.”
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “The best way to deliver positive action for local people is by making decisions locally. This principle sits right at the heart of my West Midlands Growth Plan and West Midlands Works ambitions.
“Employers are the lifeblood of our skills ecosystem. By strengthening relationships with them and responding to the challenges they face, we can get more people into good jobs and unleash the full potential of our region.
“I look forward to continuing to work with partners on the recommendations and delivery of LSIPs, drive growth in our region, and make it the best place to do business, live, learn and work.”
Pictured: Back row left to right - Jamie Zucker (Skills England), Dr Richard Smith (WMCA), Chris Golby (Culture Nav), Tessa Griffiths CBE (Skills England), Dr Rebecca Gater (Solihull College & University Centre), Rob Colbourne OBE (PTP Training), Professor John Dishman (CU Group).
Front row left to right - Raj Kaur (Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce), Suzie Branch-Haddow (Skills WMW), Corin Crane (Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce), Baroness Smith of Malvern (Minister for Skills), Alex Hudson (PWC), Alison Torrens (Universities West Midlands), Emily Stubbs (Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce).
