Local colleges across Berkshire and Oxfordshire have been successful in their bid for Local Skills Improvement Fund projects.
Colleges and Chamber members Activate Learning, The Henley College, Newbury College, and the Windsor Forest College Group (including Berkshire College of Agriculture), will now implement their plans to begin delivering a range of new LSIF funded skills development programmes for businesses and communities across Oxfordshire and Berkshire.
The colleges worked together to apply for £5m in total, £2.5m for each of the counties, to design, deliver and resource a range of courses to meet the future needs of their local business communities.
The courses respond to changes in local demand by businesses and are primarily aimed at developing the skills of those already in employment and areas covered will include green construction skills, electric vehicle maintenance, advanced digital skills, and robotics.
Part of this programme of new activity has seen Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce take on responsibility for the delivery of Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) in Oxfordshire and Berkshire which aim to bring more employers into the co-development of curriculum planning and delivery.
Paul Britton, CEO, Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce said: “Skills and workforce development are important to everyone’s business and that is why Chambers of Commerce are bringing business and training providers and educators together. Businesses have a key role to play in helping to shape the provision in their local area, and we encourage local employers to get involved and see the benefits.
“The Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Thames Valley Skills Unit is responsible for Berkshire and Oxfordshire and the crucial factor is that LSIPs are employer-led and locally owned. The most exciting aspect in this specific piece of work is the new connections that have developed with the local business community and local education providers. The Chambers role has been to facilitate these new connections and find a common language to support the co-development of new, modular courses and curriculum.
As we embark on this transformative journey, we extend our gratitude to the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders who have contributed to the fruition of the LSIPs. Together, we are poised to elevate our region’s workforce and usher in a new era of skill excellence.”
Gillian May, Principal, The Windsor Forest Colleges Group said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded a substantial investment in Windsor College. This investment signifies a pivotal moment for the advancement of training within the screen industries as we embark on a transformative journey that will reshape skills training for both young people at the start of their career and those seeking to upskill. Aligned with the government’s commitment to fostering talent and addressing critical skills gaps, this funding will elevate Windsor College to a hub of excellence for the screen industries. This forward-looking approach will ensure that employers and students can access top-tier training, securing fulfilling employment in our local communities.
We extend our gratitude to Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce and our employer partners for their support and insights and their dedication on this employer-led initiative. This investment represents more than a financial commitment; it embodies a strategic vision to futureproof our economy and empower the next generation with essential skills for success.”
Eamonn Egan, Deputy Principal of The Henley College, said: “We are delighted to be working collaboratively with local colleges and businesses to design and develop cutting edge training programmes in robotics and digitisation, as The Henley College’s part in the Local Skills Improvement Fund project for the Thames Valley region. This has all been made possible by the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce production of the Local Skills Improvement Plan, which has brought colleges and business together in the work to bridge skills gaps in the region.”
Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce was designated as the employer representative body to implement and review the LSIPs for Oxfordshire and Berkshire. This continues to be done against a set of agreed priorities placing employers at the heart of their local skills system, creating more direct partnerships between employers and training providers.
