Minister and employers welcome progress by Local Skills Improvement Plan

Quarterly forum delegates using the College’s VR equipment to find their way around a virtual construction site.

A PLAN which sets out to place businesses at the heart of Hull and East Yorkshire’s local skills system has been endorsed by employers and the government after publishing its latest review.

The HEY Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) was recognised as being “a valuable source of information for local skills deliverers, employers and stakeholders” by Skills Minister the Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern.

Employers said the LSIP provides an important opportunity to contribute to discussions about regional skills needs and to support strategic skills development.

Rod Chambers, Project Mannager for the LSIP, said the feedback coupled with the responses he is receiving direct from employers recognises the progress made by the organisation since it was set up in September 2022. He added that he will be reaching out to Chamber members to discuss their skills agenda.

Rod said: “We are seeing great collaboration and sharing of good practice between employers and training providers. Employer engagement with training providers continues to see a positive impact on the curriculum to reflect the emerging skills needed to drive the productivity of the local economy.

“Additionally, funding from the Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) has been invested in the colleges to support the growth in the digital skills and its applications across all sectors. Activity is also now underway, working with colleagues in the local Career Aspirations Group, to deliver on two of the key LSIP themes of employability skills and careers guidance.

“LSIP is also about driving accessibility and inclusivity, so as well as positive changes expected to the LSIP website service offer to make it easier for people to access information relating to skills, we are actively encouraging employers to create opportunities within their business to give people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) an opportunity to experience the work environment.”

Hannah Crookes, project lead for the LSIP, said: “Engagement and collaboration between all the stakeholders has increased. There has been some great work in the past and we are building on that with valuable exchanges of knowledge at all levels – working groups, forums, board meetings and outside the formal sessions.”

The HEY LSIP team is led by the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce and is one of 38 around the country. It has identified its five priority sectors as construction, engineering construction, manufacturing, agri-skills and health and social care and set up working groups for each one. HEY LSIP is also looking at the cross-cutting themes of digital and Net Zero.

The LSIP has also identified its key themes of technical skills, educational professionals, employability and behaviours, careers guidance and accessibility and has organised quarterly forums to discuss the various issues around them.

The latest event at Bishop Burton College put the spotlight on careers guidance with presentations by the National Careers Service and the Work-wise Foundation, with delegates also able to study some of the high-tech innovations at the College.

Beth Curtis, the College’s Vice Principal Business Development & Riseholme Campus, said: “We were pleased to host this event to progress on the LSIP and showcase some of the equipment used across the college including our anaerobic digester, solar powered landscaping and line marking equipment and VR equipment. Many thanks to everyone who attended to support and to discover how we can use this cutting-edge tech to move forward together to build a truly sustainable future for our region.”

Adam Rhodes , Head of Partnerships, Connexin Academy, said: “We have actively supported the LSIP by attending forums, contributing to discussions around regional skills needs, and offering insights as members of the board and working groups. This reflects our commitment to shaping a sustainable and skilled workforce for the future of the local area.”

Mark Boothby, Joint Managing Director of Sewell Construction, said: “The LSIP provides a fantastic opportunity to link employer needs with strategic skills development, as well as a network across sector employers to find out what different businesses are doing. 

“The principle of bringing people together to share knowledge and ideas on the established themes to shape a positive outcome in skill development is incredibly valuable. I can see the benefits and potential impact in the long term from the initiatives and showcasing that I’ve been a part of, supporting and enabling people with a skill base that is fit for the current and future needs.”

Baroness Smith said: “I welcome the publication of the Local Skills Improvement Plan Progress Report for Hull & East Yorkshire. These reports set out progress made on meeting the skills needs of local employers. As well as being a valuable source of information for local skills deliverers, employers and stakeholders, the reports along with the LSIPs themselves, will provide important intelligence for the newly established Skills England.”

The next HEY LSIP quarterly forum will take place on Friday 6 December with the venue to be announced nearer the date. To find out more visit https://www.heylsip.com/