Skills England has published fresh guidance to support the next phase of Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs), empowering regions like Cheshire and Warrington to tailor training to local economic needs.

Skills England has unveiled a strategic roadmap to strengthen local skills systems across England, marking the start of the second round of Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs). The new guidance, released on 18 November 2025, aims to help local leaders, employers, colleges, and training providers shape skills provision that directly supports regional growth.

This initiative builds on the Government’s Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, which set out a vision for a world-class skills system aligned with employer needs. The roadmap encourages collaboration between education providers and industry, ensuring that training reflects real-world demand and helps close persistent skills gaps.

Key features of the roadmap include:

• Empowering local areas to identify and respond to their unique skills challenges.
• Strengthening partnerships between employers, colleges, universities, and independent training providers.
• Driving economic renewal by aligning skills development with growth sectors and local priorities.

The guidance is designed to make LSIPs more responsive and impactful, helping regions like Cheshire and Warrington build a workforce equipped for future opportunities. It also reinforces the role of Skills England in coordinating a coherent national network of local skills systems.

Minister for Skills, Baroness Jacqui Smith says:

“Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) are critical for developing the skilled workforce Cheshire & Warrington needs. I’m delighted that the second wave of LSIPs is currently underway and I encourage businesses to engage with South & North Cheshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry to articulate their skills needs and work with the local skills providers, including colleges and local universities, to develop solutions to address them.”

👉 Employers: Get involved in shaping the future workforce. Your insights are vital to ensuring that local training meets real business needs. Join the Cheshire & Warrington LSIP conversation today and help us build a stronger, more skilled region.

Email us: lsip@sccci.co.uk

To read the full press release, visit GOV.UK.