The Marches LSIP (Local Skills Improvement Plan), a contract held by Shropshire Chamber since 2022, works to understand the skills needs - both current and future, staff retention, recruitment and training issues businesses face across the Marches (Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Herefordshire). Having interviewed more than 900 businesses over the past 30 months, the feedback gained has been invaluable. We share our findings with a wide array of stakeholders, including our local colleges, private training providers and Local Authorities, to help them plan to meet those needs. The purpose is also to encourage businesses to get actively involved with stakeholders to help shape skills training along with other support to help meet employer needs.

LSIP projects are England wide, with the Marches being one of thirty-nine. A Department for Education project, which is now under the remit of Skills England. Our local understanding is invaluable to our local decision makers, and adding the Marches voice to the collective 39 LSIP voices, has helped drive much welcomed changes in some of the national skills policies.

The work has seen training providers create new courses, upgrade facilities, a greater public/private alliance to further the understanding of skills needs and so much more.

The latest Progress Report for the Marches LSIP has been signed off by Government and is now ready for you to read. Read Here Marches LSIP Stage 2 - Progress Report 2025

Without the businesses involvement, willingness to be interviewed, and businesses on-going support, none of this could have happened. The work continues as Shropshire has been awarded the next LSIP contract.

Want to learn more or read all the reports, then follow this link. Marches Local Skills Improvement Plan