Local Skills Improvement Plan updates

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) recently announced a £7.4 million pilot scheme to subsidise the cost of AI skills training for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Professional Business Services (PBS) sector. £6.4 million of grant funding is available. 

Through this pilot programme, eligible business can apply for funding for up to 50% of the cost of AI skills training. This refers to training which supports employees to develop their technical skills and/or understanding of AI to be able to develop, deploy, or use AI in their role.

The flexible AI upskilling fund pilot aims to increase AI adoption and productivity by incentivising greater employer-led investment in skills and training. Evidence shows that a lack of AI skills in businesses is hindering AI adoption, in part due to low investment in AI upskilling in UK businesses, particularly in smaller companies.

Funding will be allocated through a competitive application exercise running until 31 May 2024. Depending on demand, a second competitive application exercise may be run later in the year. 

Funding is for the procurement of AI skills training only, and not for the cost of: 

• Purchasing AI technologies
• Business advice and consulting
• Recruitment activity
• Salaries, including work placement or internship salaries
• Capital expenditure

For full eligibility criteria and information of how to submit an expression of interest click here.

Chambers East is supporting a call for Government action to level up skills in the East of England.

Chambers East worked with the East of England All Party Parliamentary Group, local authorities, FE colleges, universities and training providers to prepare a report that identifies barriers to improving skills in our region.

Some of the barriers identified include the loss of some of the apprenticeship training levy funds from the region; the Maths and English element of apprenticeship assessment leading to low completions; widespread teacher shortages and insufficient and inflexible funding.

Report recommendations include the reform of apprenticeship provision and the levy to allow greater flexibility; further devolution of all post 16 skills funding and incentivising companies to volunteer their staff to provide teaching support on apprenticeship courses in key sectors.

Charlotte Horobin, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce said ‘There is a lot of inflexibility in the way skills funding can be used and unfortunately this means that funding is not always available to meet the rapidly changing skills needs of employers.’

Denise Rossiter, Chief Executive of Essex Chambers of Commerce commented ‘A large number of nationally significant infrastructure projects are being planned for the East of England, including the Lower Thames Crossing and Sizewell C. These projects will increase the demand for skilled workforces. However, there is insufficient regional funding available to provide the training that is needed’.

Nova Fairbank, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chambers of Commerce said ‘Employers across the region are ready to release staff to support skills training, but it’s a big commitment and more needs to be done to help employers manage the impact of releasing key staff on a regular basis.’

John Dugmore, Chief Executive of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce commented ‘This report shows there are common skills issues across the East of England. By working together as Chambers East and in partnership with others, the region’s chambers of commerce can amplify the voice of East of England businesses in calling for action to address the issues that have been identified.

To read the report Towards a Strategic Framework for Levelling Up Skills’ click here

To read the letter from the East of England All Party Parliamentary Group to the Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Further Education click here

Funded by the UK government, the Local Skills Improvement Fund, and the Department for Education, ePASS+ is a digital resource that has been created to give crucial soft skills to employees of companies.

The ePASS+ programme offers a comprehensive toolkit tailored to empower the workforce and gives employees insights into their personalities, learning styles, and motivations, creating a more profound understanding that serves as the foundation for transformative development. Read more here

Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) across England “are working and beginning to make positive differences for local employers”, according to a new report commissioned by the British Chambers of Commerce. Based on evidence from 21 of the 32 chamber led LSIPs, the evaluation report concludes that the process is changing attitudes and encouraging more employers to collaborate and engage positively with the skills system.

A ‘stable and coherent’ skills strategy is needed to prepare young people for the world of work, according to first ever British Chambers of Commerce Youth Skills Manifesto. The report highlights the key skills employers look for in young people and how individuals will need to embrace new learning throughout their careers as the workplace becomes more technical, automated and low carbon focused. It examines the important role of technical education, notably T-Levels, Higher Technical Qualifications and Apprenticeships across England.

Share your views on skills in your sector and in your part of Suffolk. Join the Norfolk and Suffolk LSIP Linkedin Group

The University of Suffolk online Job Board:

• Helps employers recruit graduates to graduate level full-time or part-time,  permanent or fixed term employment
• Connects students with employers recruiting for internships, work placements, summer placements, part-time roles, and casual/temporary employment
• Enables charities and voluntary organisations to advertise paid and voluntary roles
• Promotes opportunities offered by University of Suffolk internal departments to students and graduates.  (All University of Suffolk departments are encouraged to advertise vacancies suitable for students with the service)
• Enables Students to connect with Organisations directly.

East Coast College has united with educational establishments from Norfolk and Suffolk to look at ways of closing skills gaps in digital industries across the region.

A key highlight of the project saw the launch of a Digital Futures Conference held at The Hold in Ipswich. This occasion saw education, skills and business experts hear top talks from leading practitioners in education and the digital industries. Read more here

Tom Lloyd - Executive Director - Skills, Innovation and Strategic Development at Eastern Education Group said: "This state-of-the-art facility will enable us to become one of the UK's leading lights when it comes to Extended Reality education. In addition to this, we are keen to collaborate with industry as much as possible. We have already developed strong links with the business community both locally, nationally and internationally to meet emerging skill needs. These organisations include Wincanton PLC, EDF and the NHS. The XR Lab is keen to collaborate, support and partner with other businesses who can benefit greatly from the technology that the XR lab provides and enhance education for the benefit of current and future learners." Read more here

The Norfolk & Suffolk LSIP Report has now been approved by the DfE. The skills solutions outlined in the report are reflective of employer needs through a range of projects which will encourage greater collaboration with training providers.   We will now start to put the plan into action and continue to engage with businesses and offer support and guidance on the current skills provision available. We welcome any new initiatives/provision that are seen to support the future skills support for business growth.

Read the Local Skills Improvement Plan

Approved Norfolk and Suffolk LSIP

Norfolk and Suffolk LSIP – Appendix B

The LSIP Board provides direction, oversight, and review of the development of an effective LSIP for Norfolk and Suffolk. Find out who are the board members here