Two years since Leicester and Leicestershire’s Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) was published, East Midlands Chamber has released its latest progress report, highlighting areas of success and where further work is required.
Launched in 2023 with the aim of making the city and county ‘the best place in the country for developing people with the skills needed for businesses to thrive, the economy to grow and individuals to succeed,’ the Local Skills Improvement Plan is funded by the Department for Education and produced by East Midlands Chamber.
Recommendations outlined in the Local Skills Improvement Plan prioritised three areas:
- Partner with Further Education colleges and others on development of an education and skills offering matched to what businesses need
- Increase the understanding of businesses of local skills available
- Ensure local structures are fit for purpose to support collaborative working
Achievements over the past year include:
- Making use of investment – Leicester & Leicestershire colleges used 99.25% of £1.5m of capital only Local Skills Improvement Funding, leading to investment in facilities and development of industry-informed courses
- Decarbonised transportation at Leicester College – training facilities now have new EV charging stations, solar panels and battery storage systems
- 11 LSIF short courses developed by the end of March 2025, 148 learners completed training
- Loughborough College has refurbished training facilities and invested in electric vehicle training facilities
- Industry targeted ESOL STEM courses developed by Leicester College in partnership with others to cover ESOL for Engineering and Manufacturing and ESOL for Maths
- Skills bootcamps commissioned by Leicester City and County Councils to address the need for additional provision in the south of the county
Recommendations include:
- Create a new Local Continuing Professional Development Framework for Leicester and Leicestershire educators
- Develop SME-targeted programme for Strategic Leadership and Green Growth
- Increase provision of high-quality English Language training
- Deliver a localised campaign to raise awareness and understanding of T-Levels
- Grow the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network locally, seeking partnership opportunities with other bodies, including those representing independent providers
- Create an employer-led Local Skills Accountability Framework and Board for Leicester and Leicestershire
East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “At a time when six out of ten businesses have found filling roles with suitable candidates a struggle – evidenced in the Quarterly Economic Survey we conduct for the wider East Midlands, including Leicester and Leicestershire – initiatives that put skills front and centre are much needed.
“From the launch of the Local Skills Improvement Plan two years back now, plenty of ground has been covered, with implementation happening at pace. Examples highlighted in the report, whether improved training facilities in colleges or skills bootcamps, underline how the work of partners has paid off in delivering the plan so far, giving great foundations to build on.
“There are areas where more work is needed and it’s important that each recommendation outlined in the report is addressed to get closer to the goal, which means filling vacancies with people whose skills match those required and ultimately boosting the economy.”
Skills Minister Jacqui Smith said: “I am pleased to see the progress being made to bring these Local Skills Improvement Plans to life.
“We remain committed to the LSIP model as part of our Plan for Change, and have strengthened the role that Mayors and Strategic Authorities will play in identifying and addressing the local skills issues in the plans.
“Skills England will work hand-in-hand with businesses, education providers, Mayors and Strategic Authorities, unions, and other bodies to tackle skills shortages, co- creating solutions to ensure more opportunities for young people and existing workers wherever they are based in the country.”
The Local Skills Improvement Plan Progress Report 2025 can be viewed here.
