A new report says ‘extensive work and significant progress’ has been made to tackle skills gaps and shortages across the region – and outlines what needs to happen next.
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 LSIP was presented to the 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. These were drawn up after engagement with more than 1,000 businesses across the region.
The Chambers and skills providers in the region, including Solihull College & University Centre, 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 leadership and management training needed to be increased as well as the need to boost some essential basic skills, alongside wider considerations 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 including the new AI lab at Solihull’s Blossomfield Campus, through to college staff carrying out CPD hours with employers to enhance their own knowledge.
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 gives 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.”
A new brand has been launched to further progress the work being done – Skills West Midlands and Warwickshire, which aims to bring together employers with training providers and colleges.
Rebecca Gater, Principal of Solihull College & University Centre, the Lead Provider for the LSIF 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.”
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.
