Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) have spearheaded one of the biggest shake

8 The aim was to get under the skin of LSIPs, to go beyond the published Plans, understand and report on the actions that are rolling out and identify the strengths of the approaches taken, as well as the challenges and recommendations for improvement. [...] In the majority of LSIP areas, the range and reach of these discussions have been supported by the good standing and reputation of local Chambers of Commerce in their communities. [...] Chambers Can Talk and Listen Meaningfully to Both Business and Education An important theme in the interviews was the perception that Chambers’ facilitation skills, advocacy role, and track record of collaboration contributed to a culture of cooperation, allowing LSIPs to leverage the collective expertise and perspectives of employers and providers. [...] In a few areas, frustration was expressed that the statutory Further Education sector (FE Colleges) dominated the solutions due to the design of the process and the Local Skills Improvement Fund allocation, at the risk of excluding the private sector that could, potentially, be more agile in response. [...] The priority is to establish an agile and responsive skills ecosystem, acknowledging the role of both employers and providers in meeting the diverse needs of the 42 Freeport.