Businesses are being urged to play a leading role in shaping the county’s growth and prosperity following the Government’s announcement of the next phase of Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs).
Staffordshire moves into Stage 2 of the national LSIP programme, triggering the development of a new three-year plan running to 2029.
Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce will lead as the designated Employer Representative Body (ERB) for the area, and has set its stall out to encourage widespread employer input.
Interim Deputy CEO Tom Nadin said: “This announcement puts Staffordshire businesses firmly in the driving seat.
“The future strength of our economy, and our ability to grow, compete and attract investment, will come down to how strongly employers engage now. We need companies of all sizes to take part so the county can build a workforce that matches its ambition.”
The updated LSIP framework sets out how employer insight will shape local priorities, influence training provision and steer investment into the areas where businesses face real recruitment and capability pressures.
Providers will be expected to align their offer with these locally defined needs.
National refinements to LSIP geographies confirm Staffordshire remains a standalone area, with the Chamber continuing to lead employer engagement, evidence gathering and collaboration with colleges and local authorities.
The Chambers emphasises that this phase is not a technical exercise, but a key economic moment for the county, an opportunity for businesses to define the talent, training and workforce development needed for future success.
The Chamber has outlined several immediate areas where employer participation is critical:
- Identifying the roles and capabilities needed to support growth sectors, including digital, engineering, logistics and low-carbon industries.
- Strengthening routes into work for young people and adults, ensuring training reflects real workplace expectations.
- Addressing recruitment and retention pressures that continue to affect productivity, expansion plans and competitiveness.
- Ensuring Staffordshire’s workforce keeps pace with national changes, helping the county secure its share of future investment.
Tom added: “This is about unlocking Staffordshire’s long-term prosperity. The more businesses who participate, the stronger and more influential our next plan will be.”
The Chamber will shortly launch a new programme of engagement events, surveys and sector roundtables to gather employer input across the county.
• Find out more here about the first phase of LSIP work in Staffordshire.
