16th November 2023, Alderley Park
We are delighted with the feedback following our first Business & Skills Conference. Thank you to all the training providers, employers and local stakeholders who joined us and participated so fully in the agenda.
The purpose of the event was to:
- Better inform local businesses about post-16 education and skills opportunities within Cheshire & Warrington, for both new and existing workforce and how they can benefit from this
- Advance future course development based on local skills needs
- Broker links between business and providers and the current skills system, to better understand what currently exists
- Enable different and new ways of thinking towards working with local providers
The Cheshire & Warrington Pledge Partnership spoke about the importance of business engaging with young people and teaching staff, to improve experiences of the world of work and build a talent pipeline.
Expert panels highlighted the benefits of T-Levels, apprenticeships and apprenticeship levy transfer, as well as employing ex-offenders and veterans, supported internships and how DWP can better support business.
In the afternoon, we broke out by LSIP priority sector (Manufacturing, Health & Social Care, Life Sciences, Digital, Low Carbon) to discuss current training provision and opportunities for improvement. The conversation in each group was passionate and although there were common opportunities across all of the sectors, we noted specific opportunities to explore further.
We then launched our LSIP website: https://cheshireandwarringtonlsip.co.uk
The purpose of the website is to be an honest broker, for employers to access the skills system in its easiest form; supporting employers to get to the information they need as easily as possible.
LSIP Project Manager – Sarah Emes Young said: “We were delighted with the 100% positive feedback we received from attendees following the event, and look forward to building on the positive links that have been made between employers and training providers today.”
Following the event, we will now launch our Sector Working Groups. These Groups will help to enable real change in the skills training provision, by putting the voice of employers at its heart.
If you would like to get involved in a working group – please contact us by emailing lsip@sccci.co.uk