The Department for Education (DfE) announced today a £200m package of skills funding to support colleges, universities and independent training providers to offer more training opportunities in key industries, such as the growing green sector.
The Investment is being targeted to address the specific skills needs of each region, which local businesses and employers have identified as priority sectors in their Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs), giving them access to the skilled workforce they need to grow.
In Essex the LSIP has been led by the Essex Chambers of Commerce, working with a range of businesses and training providers.
The successful bid to DfE for the Local Skills Improvement fund (LSIF) to help implement the LSIP was led by Harlow College, on behalf of a consortium of further education providers spread across the county.
£5.55m has been awarded to Essex which will provide new skills training in green skills, digital, creative and cultural, green construction, health and social care, education, engineering and manufacturing – all areas where skills will be in demand in Essex over the coming years.
Commenting on the award Denise Rossiter, Chief Executive of the Essex Chambers of Commerce said: ‘I am delighted with the announcement today of the award of around £5.5m to Essex to help us begin to address the skills needs of employers across the county, as identified in our local skills improvement plan. The award is testament to the excellent collaborative work done by the Chambers, businesses and further education providers to develop the LSIP and of Harlow College in leading the consortium of providers who constructed a strong bid for funding.’
