For many businesses across Cheshire & Warrington, finding and developing the right talent remains one of the biggest challenges to growth. The Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) is helping employers turn that challenge into an opportunity.
At its heart, the LSIP brings Cheshire & Warrington’s businesses, educators and local leaders together to align skills with growth. By turning employer insight into action, the plan is helping to build a future-ready workforce, improve access to good jobs and ensure the region continues to thrive in a changing economy.
South & North Cheshire Chamber of Commerce leads this work as the designated Employer Representative Body for the area. Our role is to ensure that the voice of employers sits at the centre of how local skills and training provision evolves.
Turning Employer Insight into Action
Businesses across the region have recently contributed their views through surveys, consultations and sector discussions. These insights are helping build a clear picture of workforce challenges, skills gaps and future demand.
This evidence is already informing discussions with education and training providers, shaping how courses, apprenticeships and training programmes respond to the real needs of employers.
The next LSIP Report, due in summer 2026, will bring this intelligence together and set out updated priorities to support productivity, workforce development and economic growth across Cheshire & Warrington.
However, the LSIP is more than a report, it is an ongoing partnership between business and education. Employer insight is essential to ensuring skills development reflects what organisations need now and in the future.
Apprenticeship Levy Changes
Businesses should also be aware of changes to the apprenticeship levy coming into effect from 1 April.
While the reforms introduce greater flexibility in how levy funds can be used and transferred, they also shorten the timeframe for spending levy contributions. Funds will now need to be used within 12 months rather than the previous 24 months.
This means levy-paying employers will need to plan their levy use more actively. Funds that remain unspent after 12 months will expire and return to the Treasury.
One option is levy transfer, where businesses can share unused funds with other organisations, including SMEs and supply chain partners. This helps support apprenticeships locally while ensuring levy contributions are put to productive use.
The LSIP team can support levy-paying employers who want to explore transfer opportunities, helping connect organisations and ensure funding is used where it can have the greatest impact.
Supporting Local Skills and Talent
Businesses play a vital role in shaping the region’s skills landscape. Your voice helps ensure training and workforce development meet local needs, strengthening both individual organisations and the wider business community.
By working together we can grow talent, address skills gaps and secure a stronger future for Cheshire & Warrington.
Get Involved
To find out more about the LSIP or discuss apprenticeship levy opportunities, contact the LSIP team: LSIP@sccci.co.uk
