We’re excited that work is about to start on producing a new Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) for Cumbria.
As you’ll have seen in the 2025 Annual Progress Report, Local Skills Improvement Plan – Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, the current plan has made great strides in addressing skills needs and opportunities across the county. This has only been achieved through a range of stakeholders working together and bringing together their ideas and resources. So many thanks again to everyone who has been part of this in any way – whether completing a survey, taking part in a focus group, undertaking research, designing and implementing provision, sharing information and promoting opportunities, or whatever.
The current report was produced back in 2023, and even in that relatively short time things have moved on significantly – not least in terms of the opportunities of AI and robotics.
So it’s great that we’ve now received the funding allocation for October 25 to March 26 to enable us to work on a new plan, with partners and stakeholders. We’ve submitted our budget proposal to the Department for Education for sign-off, which is due this month, alongside the final Statutory Guidance.
Alongside this we’ll be working together to continue to implement ongoing actions from the current LSIP. The new LSIP will be published next summer.
Over the coming months we’ll be engaging with a whole range of stakeholders – employers, providers, local authorities, business organisations and others to review priorities, issues and opportunities and come up with a refreshed plan.
While absolutely highlighting and addressing the needs of Cumbrian employers, this will obviously need to work with other current and emerging strategies and plans such as the Enterprising Cumbria Growth Plan, Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness plans, Get Cumbria Working Plan and the Industrial Strategy.
We’re looking forward to working with you all!
