Report highlights next steps to bridging the skills gap

A new report says that ‘extensive work and significant progress’ has been made to tackle skills gaps and shortages in the West Midlands and Warwickshire – and outlines what needs to happen next to continue the progress.

The West Midlands and Warwickshire Local Skills Improvement Plan (WMW LSIP) Progress Report has been prepared by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and signed off by the Department for Education (DfE).

It looks at the key priorities that were set out over a year ago when the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and Black Country Chamber of Commerce came together to submit an LSIP to Government.

The region had £10.4 million set aside in a Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) to help fund projects that would tackle the priority issues in post-16 education that were drawn up after engagement with more than 1,000 businesses right across the region.

The Chambers and skills providers in the region have been working together to find solutions and start to deliver against those priorities, which include specific skills shortages in engineering & manufacturing, construction, ICT & digital and logistics & distribution.

The research also identified that leadership and management training needed to be increased as well as the need to boost some essential basic skills, alongside wider considerations around elements such as green skills and the need to enhance teaching provision in some priority areas.

The report says that six LSIF projects were developed and are already delivering against their objectives.

That has included everything from investing in new facilities within learning providers across the region through to college staff carrying out CPD hours with employers to enhance their own knowledge.

On green skills, for example, 40 Green Changemakers are already active within 17 organisations across the region to aid with teacher development in this area.

On essential skills, hundreds of learners have already participated in courses after money was invested in the purchase of new equipment to support providers.

The report concludes: “The work of the WMW LSIP and the WMW LSIF Projects are funded through to the end of March 2025, however extensive work and significant progress has already been made against each of the priorities identified by the WMW LSIP.”

The Minister for Skills, The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern, said: “I welcome the publication of the Local Skills Improvement Plan Progress Report for the West Midlands and Warwickshire. 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.”

Corin Crane, Chief Executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is incredible to see the progress the LSIP has made. Skills has been a priority issue for business for many years now and, through this process, we’ve been able to listen to what companies need, what they feel they are missing and then work with providers to find out how we address that.

“By putting business at the heart of it, we can devise solutions based around the needs of the economy. It’s giving opportunities to individuals to obtain the skills they need and, in turn, supporting the growth of our economy.

“As the report says, we’ve made good progress but we know there is still much more to do with all of our partners across the region.”

Henrietta Brealey, Chief Executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: "The Local Skills Improvement Plan is all about putting businesses at the heart of post-16 education and training, to ensure that talented local residents can access job opportunities, and local firms have the skilled talent they need to innovate and grow.

"Thank you to those businesses who have taken the time out of their day to help shape the contours of local skills policy. Over a thousand local employers have contributed to the Plan, and to ongoing research to ensure stakeholders have up to date insights on local skills needs.

"As detailed in this latest report, an enormous amount of work is well underway to achieve the ambitions of the plan. We look forward to continuing to work with education and training providers, stakeholders, and local businesses to support them in the delivery of skills provision across the region."

Sarah Moorhouse, CEO of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: “This progress report shows the commitment of our local employers and further education providers to improving the skills and talents available in the West Midlands and Warwickshire.

“Focusing on future-proofing the workforce using the crosscutting themes of digital and green skills, and the potential employees emerging from these training opportunities will greatly improve the ability of businesses in the West Midlands to grow and expand.

“These are exciting developments as we start the new academic year, and at the Black Country Chamber we look forward to continuing to support this work”.

Rebecca Gater, Principal and CEO of Solihull College and University Centre and Lead Provider for West Midlands and Warwickshire Local Skills Improvement Fund project, said: "I am proud to see the significant strides we have made through the West Midlands and Warwickshire LSIP.

“This progress report highlights our commitment to aligning education and training with the evolving needs of local employers, ensuring that our region is equipped with the skills necessary to drive innovation and growth.

“By continuing to work closely with businesses, we are laying the groundwork for a thriving economy, supported by a workforce that is ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow."

David Gaughan, Head of Employer Services at West Midlands Combined Authority, added: “A skilled workforce, across the breadth of our economy, is pivotal if we are to deliver economic growth and improve productivity across the West Midlands.

“Through our Employment & Skills Strategy, we have committed to forging stronger links between the skills ecosystem and businesses, so that our residents acquire relevant, in-demand skills that support progression into good jobs. Capturing the voice of employers, and using it to shape our skills offer, is critical to the success of our region.”

David Ayton-Hill, Director of Economy & Place at Warwickshire County Council, said: “The Coventry and Warwickshire Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) is a crucial initiative that positions businesses at the heart of the post-16 technical education and training system.

“By focusing on the cross-cutting themes of digital and green skills, as well as enhancing leadership and management capabilities, the LSIP is set to drive forward both Warwickshire and the surrounding area economic growth.

“The priorities will not only help to ensure that our workforce is equipped with the necessary skills to innovate, grow, and thrive but will also support the ongoing development of a more agile and responsive education and training system. Warwickshire County Council is committed to supporting these efforts, which are vital for providing meaningful employment opportunities, supporting ambitious and inclusive growth through fostering in-work progression for our residents."

The West Midlands and Warwickshire LSIP covers the geographical areas administered by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) – constituted of the seven local authorities of Birmingham City Council, Coventry City Council, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, Walsall Council and the City of Wolverhampton Council – and Warwickshire County Council.

The full progress report can be viewed at: https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/business-support/lsip/