The skills for jobs white paper set out the government’s blueprint for reshaping the technical skills system to better meet the needs of employers and the wider economy.

As part of this new approach, the Department for Education (DfE) introduced local skills improvement plans (LSIPs) and a new local skills improvement fund (LSIF), which replaces the strategic development fund referred to in the white paper.

Local skills improvement plans

LSIPs provide an agreed set of actionable priorities that employers, providers and other stakeholders in a local area can get behind to drive change.

The plans:

  • Place employers at the heart of local skills systems
  • Facilitate direct and dynamic working arrangements between employers, providers and local stakeholders
  • Help learners gain the skills they need to get good jobs and increase prospects

All 38 LSIPs have been approved by the Secretary of State for Education in line with the approval criteria set out in the Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022 and in accordance with the LSIP statutory guidance.

Further information on the process for implementing and keeping the plan under review is outlined in the statutory guidance.

The review and redesignation of ERBs and LSIP geographies will occur periodically, as appropriate, by DfE.