York and North Yorkshire skills roadmap targets construction needs
The Department for Education-backed programme aims to ensure training providers are better aligned with the requirements of local businesses, helping to address skills shortages and support economic growth.
The regional skills roadmap has been launched to align training provision with employer demand across York and North Yorkshire, including a focus on addressing future workforce needs in construction.
The Local Skills Improvement Plan implementation roadmap has been published by West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, setting out how skills and training priorities will be delivered across the region in partnership with York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Construction is among the key priority sectors identified within the plan, alongside clean energy, the green economy, manufacturing and engineering, health and social care, creative industries, land-based industries and rail innovation.
The roadmap will focus on developing the technical skills required by employers, supporting future workforce pipelines and ensuring training provision reflects changing demands across the region’s economy.
For the construction sector, the plan provides a framework for closer collaboration between employers, colleges and training providers to improve access to industry-relevant skills and help tackle recruitment challenges affecting the built environment.
The LSIP is being delivered by West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce alongside York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, with implementation activity set to continue over the coming months.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: “Not enough people in our county get the opportunity they deserve to create the life they want here.
“The York and North Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan is how we change that and back our ambitious people with more education, training and job opportunities.
“It’s one of the big ways we’re making our county a fairer, more resilient, and more productive place to live, work and do business.”
James Mason, chief executive of West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “LSIPs are transformational for local economies because they represent the voice of business when it comes to what they need from employees.
“The skill sets being delivered match with local requirements and will help drive productivity and employment when it is needed the most.
“We are very grateful to the business community of York and North Yorkshire, and with our colleagues at the combined authority who have been vital partners in this process.”
