November e-Bulletin

Issue 6

Welcome to the sixth edition of this e-bulletin, updating you on development of the Essex LSIP. Further information is available on our website and you can also email us at lsip@essexchambers.co.uk. This update includes general skills news, so please get in touch if you have any to share.

LSIP – Phase 2 Delivery Started

Following fantastic engagement from Essex employers and stakeholders in LSIP development and approval from the Secretary of State, we are now progressing Phase 2. This is the delivery stage. You can see the full report (which includes an action plan and supporting annexes) on our website.

The LSIP Board met on 9th November 2023. We reviewed initial actions for Phase 2 and confirmed early priorities. Examples of work in progress include an employer toolkit. The Board also heard about the Essex bid to the Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF), led by Harlow College in collaboration with Essex colleges and providers. This will enable the local skills landscape to respond to the LSIP. It will include sector relevant programmes, facilities and equipment.

The Department for Education (DfE) has also announced a £200m package of skills funding to support colleges. Essex has been awarded £5.55m which will provide new skills training in green skills, digital, creative and cultural, green construction, health and social care, education, engineering and manufacturing – all areas where skills will be in demand in Essex over the coming years. Read the Essex Chambers of Commerce press release here.

Employers still have plenty of opportunities to get involved in further work and delivery, which helps us ensure that the LSIP is delivering for you. You can find more about the LSIP Board meetings here.

LSIP – Employer Survey

As part of the ongoing work of the LSIP, it remains important that we continue to obtain employer feedback. Your voice is critical. Capturing and responding to your needs remains a fundamental part of the LSIP. Your continued input will allow us to respond accordingly.

We appreciate your time and welcome your views. Please click on the link below and spend 10 minutes completing this short survey.

LSIP Evidence Base

The Essex LSIP includes a detailed and comprehensive evidence-base, which is based on local skills and employment data, including projected growth and vacancies. It also captures and incorporates the original business survey undertaken to help inform LSIP priorities.

The delivery phase of the LSIP requires up-to-date data, evidence, whilst producing sector and area deep-dives. We will share more findings from the deep-dives once the Board has met.

Partner updates and related news

As ever, here are a few events and items which may be of interest.

T-Levels Conference in Essex in January 2023

Working in partnership with the Strategic Development Network and DfE, Essex will be hosting a conference re: T-Levels on 25th January 2024. The event will be aimed at SMEs and is one of eight conferences taking place nationally. Further information will be shared soon.

The government recently announced plans to develop a new qualification called the Advanced British Standard. However, this will not roll out for a decade and T Levels and A levels continue to be offered and the rollout of T levels as a robust and well-respected technical option continues. From this September, 18 T level courses are available at over 160 schools and colleges across England in subjects as diverse as health, science, agriculture, digital and legal services.

Essex: Level 2 Devolution Deal in Development

Essex, Southend and Thurrock will be working towards a Level 2 devolution deal, as announced recently. Here is the press release. Essex Chambers of Commerce hosted an event to consider opportunities for employers. Further events will be scheduled as discussions develop.

Read the Essex Chambers of Commerce press release on devolution here.

Essex Waste Strategy - Don’t waste the chance to have your say!

What we throw away each day comes at a cost, for residents, businesses and the environment. So, we need to rethink waste and how we can do things differently.

The Essex Waste Partnership has outlined how it plans to manage waste in Essex over the next 30 years in a draft strategy. This sets out how we all need to prioritise reducing waste, reusing resources and recycling even more.

The strategy is ambitious but achievable if we all play a part. As a local business, your insight will be invaluable in shaping the final version of the strategy. Don’t waste the chance to have your say.

Essex Careers magazine – Edition 3 out now

Edition 3 of the Essex Careers magazine is now available. Packed full of information, it includes a spotlight on engineering and digital as well as some of the opportunities arising from developments such as Freeports and large employers like Essex Police and E2V Teledyne. Featuring information on green initiatives such as the Carbon Cutting App and learning options such as T Levels. You can read the latest edition and view previous copies here.