- 11th September 2025
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Since launching ‘Mind the Skills Gap’ our local skills improvement plan (LSIP) for our sub-region, employers and training and education providers in this part of London have been working together to address skills gaps.
With changes happening at pace, our Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) Year Two Progress Report, published today, provides an overview of the progress being made.
The report summarises the achievements being made thanks to the joint efforts of employers, education and training providers and government at all levels, and sets the platform from which further collaboration will develop.
With the development of a new LSIP due to begin at the end of year and published in 2026, now is the opportune time for anyone interested in skills development and how this supports the local economy to read this progress report and get involved in developing training that meets real-world needs.
Cllr Ray Morgon, Chair of the Local London Skills and Employment Board and Leader of LB of Havering said “In our boroughs, we have seen greater progress in growing economic activity than in other parts of London. Through the local skills improvement plan employers and training providers are working together to help people gain the real-life skills they need to find roles they love in local businesses. This significant collaboration is set to grow as we enter the next phase of our local skills planning, and we encourage local businesses to get involved in shaping the future skills landscape.”
Maria Gonella, Managing Partner at Quantum Training said “As both a business and a training provider we appreciate the need for the LSIP and to align training and business requirements from both perspectives. As part of the Local London Skills Providers Network, we are creating new training pathways and opportunities that respond directly to local employers’ needs. We’re getting phenomenal feedback from business owners and staff who are taking on exciting roles and progressing their careers. Working directly with colleges is the most impactful way to ensure upskilling aligns with the trajectory to net zero.”
Asfa Sohail, Deputy Group CEO and Principal, LSEC said “We have a strong network of 23 education and training providers working together to help upskill local people and support businesses through the LSIP by developing a pipeline of skilled talent. Through our successful bid to the Local Skills Improvement Fund we have developed innovative ways of engaging with businesses and their current and future employees, such as our network of immersive teaching labs. Businesses needing to upskill their staff can reach out to the Local London Skills Providers Network for high quality, bespoke training to suit their needs and bridge local skills gaps.”
Highlights from year two and future initiatives
This second-year progress report offers insights into ongoing initiatives and opportunities for involvement and highlights exciting changes already underway in training and education in our sub-region, including:
- Progression of the Local London Skills Providers Network specifically groundbreaking collaboration between 23 education providers across our nine boroughs and successful delivery of five green skills engagement events across the sub-region bringing in employers and stakeholders to learn about emerging opportunities from the network.
- Fostered collaboration via four roundtable events in priority sectors (e.g. Social Care, Construction, Creative, and Food and Drink Manufacturing), creating platforms for influencing training delivery and workforce development in the sub-region.
- Significantly strengthened stakeholder relationships maintaining momentum with LSIP engagement and placing Local London in a strong position to move into the next phase of implementation.
- Engaged over 70 stakeholders through an interactive webinar on Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs), offering practical insights into recruitment and workforce upskilling for businesses.
Why do we need to address skills gaps?
Our sub-region is the fastest growing part of the capital and has huge potential for inclusive growth that benefits all our boroughs’ residents. Yet, despite reducing unemployment in our sub-region, it continues to track higher than the national and London averages.
Alongside this, compared to other parts of London, employers in south east and north east London continue to have more pronounced concerns about skills shortages among their existing staff, and worries around skills challenges.
Discover more about how we are closing skills gaps
To help tackle these challenges, we are bringing together stakeholders in the sub-region to implement the findings in our employer-led LSIP and are making the case with partners for the devolution of skills funding.
⇒ Learn more about our LSIP: www.local.london/lsip
⇒ Read the Progress Report 2024 for year one
⇒ Watch our webinar about Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs)