Publication of Kent & Medway LSIP Progress Report 2024

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Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce Unveils Progress Report on Local Skills Improvement Plan

We are delighted to publish our annual Progress Report on the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) for Kent and Medway. Funded by UK Government, the LSIP aims to bridge the gap between education and industry, ensuring a skilled workforce that meets the region’s economic needs.

The report highlights the significant achievements and initiatives undertaken since the LSIP’s inception, demonstrating the importance of the employer engagement in the skills agenda. Kent & Medway has been one of the most successful regions in securing over £8M of infrastructure investment to support education and training programmes aligned with the specific skills requirements of local businesses.

Key areas of focus highlighted in the report include:

Addressing skills shortages: The LSIP has made substantial progress in identifying and addressing critical skill gaps across key sectors such as Construction, Manufacturing, Health and Social Care, Food and Food production, and Education.

Prioritising future development: The report outlines the LSIP’s future priorities, including further enhancing the capabilities of the regional workforce through targeted training and upskilling initiatives.

Collaborative approach: Developed with employers in partnership with education providers, and stakeholders, the LSIP has played a vital role in identifying and addressing skill gaps across sectors and themes, including digital skills, decarbonisation, and SME engagement.

The success of the Kent & Medway LSIP is a testament to the collaborative efforts of our stakeholders who are invested in enhancing skills and improving opportunities within our community. Their engagement and commitment have not only enriched our discussions but have also played a crucial role in identifying the skills needs of our region.  This engagement will continue to play a vital role in our future activities and will ensure we can achieve even greater outcomes for Kent & Medway.

Commenting on the release of the Progress Report, The Minister for Skills, The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern states:

“I welcome the publication of the Local Skills Improvement Plan Progress Report for Kent & Medway.  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.”

Tudor Price, Chief Executive Officer of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce adds:

 “The Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) for Kent & Medway has, and continues to be, a tremendous success for all those involved. The willingness and desire of stakeholders to collaborate constructively for the benefit of the business community and the wider economy, has been exemplary. The praise and recognition afforded to Kent & Medway by the Department for Education is a testament to this close cooperation. The publication of this report is a significant step in the evolution of the concept of the LSIP, as well as setting out a common strategy for the development of skills in the county around which stakeholders can coalesce. I am delighted with the achievement of the Chamber Skills Team and look forward to seeing the strategy further transition into delivery, so that we can all benefit from the economic impact.”

The 2024 LSIP Progress Report and updates on the LSIP can be found at here.