Jessica O'ConnorSkills England has published new statutory guidance to support the second round of Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs), setting out how local areas should identify skill needs and develop three-year plans to strengthen training and support economic growth.
The new phase follows last month’s Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper and aims to ensure employment, training and education provision more closely matches local labour market demands.
The latest guidance outlines how employer representative bodies, strategic authorities, colleges, universities and training providers must work together across all 39 LSIP areas.
The updated plans will run from 2026 to 2029 and are intended to help people enter work, progress in employment and access training at all levels.
Minister for Skills, Baroness Jacqui Smith, said: “Local businesses and communities know best what skills they need to succeed.
“New Local Skills Improved 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.”
The guidance reflects the expanded role for strategic authorities highlighted in the English Devolution White Paper.
In devolved areas, these authorities will work jointly with employer bodies to align skills provision with regional growth priorities. In non-devolved areas, local authorities will play a key role.
Industry and education bodies welcomed the renewed focus on collaboration.
Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Solving the skills crisis afflicting the UK is crucial to growing the economy faster. We are already seeing the positive, practical impact of LSIPs on the ground, and it is hugely encouraging that the government has committed to developing them further.”
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “The best way to deliver positive action for local people is by making decisions locally. By strengthening relationships with them and responding to the challenges they face, we can get more people into good jobs and unleash the full potential of our region.”
