AI and apprenticeships on the agenda as employers and trainers collaborate on skills provision
COLLABORATION: Some of the speakers at the HEY LSIP forum held at East Riding College in Beverley. From left, Tina Jenkinson of Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership; Claire Willis of RTC North; Rod Chambers of HEY LSIP; Chloe Tate and Katie Wheeldon of TEC Partnership; Kirsty Connor of Citizen’s Advice Hull & East Riding
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Employers and training providers from across the region underlined the importance of collaboration as they exchanged ideas and intelligence at the latest quarterly forum organised by the Hull and East Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan (HEY LSIP).
Around 100 delegates attended the event which was hosted by the TEC Partnership at East Riding College in Beverley and brought together the private, public and voluntary sectors.
Chloe Tate, group director business engagement at TEC Partnership, said key themes addressed during the discussions included apprenticeship reforms and incentives, preparing learners for AI in the workplace, building confidence and individuality in interviews, and strengthening communication with employers.
Kirsty Connor and her colleagues Zena Gough and Jessica Smith of Citizen’s Advice Hull & East Riding presented on the work being done by their organisation in the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise Sector with the Exploring Opportunities (EO) adult skills project.
Kirsty reported that since 2022 EO has supported 900 local people, with 72 per cent progressing into employment or more formalised training. However, she added that EO ends in September 2026 and, with no plans for a follow-on project, she invited delegates to think about how they can help.
Tina Jenkinson, of Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, gave an update on the Widening Access Demonstrator, a targeted initiative by NHS England which is designed to support local health and care systems in addressing workforce shortages and promoting employment among individuals from the most deprived communities.
Claire Willis, STEM programme manager at RTC North, announced plans for STEMFest, which will take place at Connexin Live from June 30 until July 1, 2027 and welcome around 1,000 primary and secondary school pupils every day to learn about STEM careers.
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT: Hannah Crookes, HEY LSIP project lead, addressing the forum held at East Riding College
Katie Wheeldon, chief commercial officer, TEC Partnership, said: “The LSIP is invaluable in ensuring that education, training and industry work together to address real workforce challenges and opportunities across our region.
“For TEC Partnership, the LSIP provides a vital mechanism for understanding employer needs, shaping responsive skills provision, and ensuring that learners are equipped with the knowledge and capabilities that businesses require both now and in the future.
“The forum creates meaningful opportunities for employers, educators, local authorities and stakeholders to collaborate, share insight and influence the future skills landscape. They help drive innovation and support sustainable economic growth, ensuring that businesses have a strong voice in shaping workforce development."
Rod Chambers, project manager for HEY LSIP, added: “We aim to always cover a variety of skills related topics at our forums and this event was no exception, attracting a wide audience to an excellent venue which is ideal for encouraging and enabling the collaboration which, at its heart, is what the LSIP is all about.
“We have developed a fantastic working relationship with colleagues across the college network, and this event again demonstrated the importance of educators creating the opportunities to engage closely with employers and industry organisations.
“Our forums are always followed by a great deal of activity as the various partners continue the conversations and help to shape our future themed approach to engagement with skills stakeholders across Hull and East Yorkshire.”
For further information about how to get involved with HEY LSIP and to view the full Hull & East Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan 2.0 visit: https://www.heylsip.com/heylsip2
What is an LSIP
A Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) is a statutory, employer-led plan designed to ensure local skills provision reflects the needs of employers, individuals and the wider economy. Its purpose is to:
Provide a clear understanding of current and future skills requirements
Align education and training with labour market demand
Support economic growth, productivity and workforce development.
LSIPs are founded on key principles of being employer-led, evidence-based, collaborative and action-focused.
By bringing together employers, providers, strategic authorities and other partners, they create a shared framework for identifying priorities, agreeing practical actions and developing a more responsive skills system that supports better jobs, career progression and long-term prosperity.
