Business West, one of the largest Chambers of Commerce in the UK, has been chosen to run the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) in Gloucestershire.

The LSIP will bring together employers, education and training providers and other local stakeholders to set out the key priorities and changes needed in the area to ensure post-16 technical education and training prepares employees better for work.

The news comes as the latest ONS labour market statistics in the UK show the number of job vacancies in the UK has reached record levels.

Business West's recent Quarterly Economic Survey results also found that just under half of businesses tried to recruit staff in Q2 of this year, its lowest rate since Q2 2021. However, against a backdrop of UK wide vacancies, the findings suggest businesses have given up efforts to secure new staff, fearing they may not be able to fill them.

Matt Tudge, head of skills planning at Business West, said: "We are delighted that we have been designated by the secretary of state to develop plans to address the skills challenges faced by businesses in our region.

"With firms facing unprecedented challenges as the energy price crisis worsens and inflation increases, firms need to be assured that labour and skills shortages will be addressed to help them weather the storm.

"We will bring together local businesses, training providers and stakeholders to really understand the skills needed in the area and to enable economic growth that will benefit everyone in the region.

"The LSIP will be an opportunity for businesses to shape how their future workforce will need to look, to ensure business plans are delivered in the right way and to create a more modern, digital and sustainable workforce."

Sara-Jane Watkins, principal of South Gloucestershire and Stroud (SGS) College, said: "SGS College is really pleased to be working with Business West again on the development of an LSIP.

"We are especially keen as a college on working with other providers in a strategic and joined up way, to ensure that the collective curriculum offered meets the needs of both young people and the county's workforce for the future."

Matthew Burgess, principal of Gloucestershire College, said: "Each year at Gloucestershire College, we provide training for over 1,500 employers. Employers in every sector are struggling to recruit staff with the skills needed for our local economy to thrive. The extent of skills shortages being reported is now unparalleled in my career.

"We look forward to working in partnership with Business West and the local business community on this vital piece of work."