Following publication of the LSIP reports last month, we have gone through a process of reflecting on progress so far and planning what next for delivering the LSIP Plan over the next 6-18 months.

The LSIP has helped to deliver greater clarity and regional co-ordination to address the skills gaps, however there is always more that can be done.

It is not always skills that cause shortages within a sector, often pay and working conditions are a factor as well, and what else can we, as a collective, do to encourage businesses to become employers of choice.

Below is a very brief snapshot of progress on some of the priority skills areas:

• Health and Social Care – activities are ongoing to support this sector with networks in place.
• Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing – FE Colleges supported through LSIF Funding, Leeds and Bradford Manufacturing Weeks, there is potential to deliver more apprenticeships with some unmet employer demand.
• Financial and Professional Services – recent publication of deep dive report with a sector working group in place.
• Low Carbon – Green skills are prioritised but a challenging journey to achieve net zero. There is a challenge to onboard employers.
• Digital and Technology – What else can be done to upskill and further optimise inward investment and economic growth?
• Creative Industries – STEAM not STEM – managing the transition and ensuring growth.
• Education – addressing the FE Tutor shortage, including the image and perception of the sector plus addressing disparities with both teaching and industry pay rates.
• Construction – groundwork, electricians, green skills, scaffolding… and other shortages. CITB launching regional employer skills networks.
• Transport and Logistics – The large share of employment in transportation and storage is a distinctive feature of Wakefield’s employment base, but what next for the sector and how about EVs? Jobs in the rail sector also a key consideration.