Higher and further education to shape skills system

Skills England has announced that development of the second round of Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) is now underway and has published guidance to steer the process 

The guidance that will enable local leaders, employers, colleges, independent training providers, and universities to transform skills training across England.

Local areas know best how to tackle local skills needs. LSIPs are vital for making this a reality and Employer Representative Bodies (ERBs), working with Strategic Authorities where they are in place, will lead on development. 

These local plans provide in-depth insight on skill needs across a given area - from supporting people to enter work and progress in employment, through to post graduate level 8 - and the actions required to meet them. The work will involve many key local stakeholders including Job Centre Plus. 

Further education, higher education, and independent training providers, including colleges and universities are expected to use their delivery expertise and employer links to identify skills needs, review programmes, share intelligence, and work collaboratively to ensure quality provision fits with local priorities.

The LSIPs statutory guidance sets out how key players for all 39 LSIP areas must work together to develop three-year plans that will be approved in summer 2026 and run up to 2029.  

Minister for Skills, Baroness Jacqui Smith, said: "Local businesses and communities know best what skills they need to succeed. New Local Skills Improvement Plans will put employers, educators and authorities at the heart of identifying skills gaps and delivering the training that matters most to their area. By tailoring skills training to local needs, we will break down barriers to opportunity and help businesses and communities across England thrive.

Phil Smith, chair of Skills England, said: "Delivering meaningful change must be driven at a local level by the people who know their communities best. Local Skills Improvement Plans are central to making this a reality - uniting employers, strategic authorities, HE and FE providers and all those involved in solving local skills challenges together. This new guidance sets the roadmap for making that happen.

"This second round of LSIPs presents an outstanding opportunity to shape the skills agenda in your area. I would like to encourage local organisations, who care about training-up local people and supporting businesses to succeed, to take it."