Chamber LSIP facing tight trends in labour market

THE Office for National Statistics latest data reveals the employment rate continues to rise, while at the same time similar Government data from the ONS is also showing a rise in economically inactive people, now at 2.46-million nationally, or about 27% of the inactive population.

These twin features of the labour market are likely to complicate the work of the newly established Local Skills Improvement Partnership (LSIP) which Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce has now been awarded the contract to manage in Hull and the East Riding.

The Chamber is shortly to meet with college principals in the area to discuss how the partnership will work along with Hull and East Riding council portfolio holders responsible for this adult skills agenda.

The LSIPs, funded by the Department for Education, aim to put the voice of local employers at the heart of the learning and skills system to build a stronger, more dynamic partnership between employers and further education providers. It is hoped this will allow provision to be more responsive to the energy needs in particular of the Humber alongside those of employers generally in the Hull and East Yorkshire labour market.

Commenting on the ONS figures, the Chamber’s LSIP Manager for Hull and East Riding, Hannah Crookes, said: “With both employment levels being higher than at any period since 1974 and a post Covid affected problem with long-term illness, the discussions we are likely to have with the colleges will be complicated by these national trends which sit alongside Government ambitions for the Chamber to support labour market changes in the Energy Estuary.”

The Chamber has appointed Hannah Crookes to work with Chamber Chief Executive Dr Ian Kelly, board member Sir Nic Dakin and others on this key partnership agenda following legislation introduced by Boris Johnson’s Government in the spring.