Morning, Tuesday, 23rd January 2024
This conference will focus on next steps for regional skills and local skills improvement plans (LSIPs), following the launch of the local skills improvement fund (LSIF).
It will bring stakeholders together with policymakers to evaluate lessons learnt from the first phase of work, and to examine initiatives aimed at devolving skills and training provision to align with local strategies, as set out in the LSIPs published in August 2023.
Delegates will assess implementation priorities for the LSIF, looking at the way forward for employer and training provider engagement to ensure that the plans and fund remain relevant and dynamic to changing skills needs and regional strategies.
Discussion will also focus on regional skills within the context of wider agendas in levelling up and devolution of powers, assessing next steps for promoting local growth and raising employment and skills levels.
Further sessions explore priorities for fulfilling the skills needs of different sectors, with a particular focus on the dispersion of green jobs in the UK.
We are pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with: Nick Rashley, Deputy Director, Developing Programmes and Localities, Regions and Providers Directorate, Department for Education; Parminder Kohli, Commissioner, Social Mobility Commission; Mark Hilton, Policy Delivery Director, BusinessLDN; and Suzanne Caldwell, Managing Director, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
- LSIPs: lessons learned from the first phase - next steps for implementation - priorities for adapting plans to local needs - implementation and allocation of the LSIF
- developing skills for the future: ensuring plans are dynamic and responsive to changing needs - addressing digital and innovation skills gaps - improving accessibility to training and upskilling
- net zero: regional green skills priorities in the UK - exploring dispersion of jobs and opportunities throughout England to achieve net zero targets
- devolution: strategic priorities for utilising devolved powers to develop skills policy - options for collaboration between private sectors
- regional inequalities: driving local educational attainment and social mobility - pathways to high quality employment - widening opportunities and access to training in disadvantaged areas
- raising standards of skills provision: pathways to high quality skills training throughout England - maximising the UK’s potential in key sectors through regional skills
The conference will be an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who are due to attend CCC; DBT; Defra; Department for the Economy, NI; DESNZ; DfE; DSIT; DWP; IfATE; and Ofsted.
