A new report reveals substantial progress in tackling skills shortages in the West Midlands and Warwickshire. The West Midlands and Warwickshire Local Skills Improvement Plan (WMW LSIP) Progress Report, developed by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and endorsed by the Department for Education, highlights the success of initiatives aimed at bridging post-16 education gaps and preparing the workforce for future demands.

The region allocated £10.4 million from the Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) to address skills shortages, with key areas of focus including engineering, manufacturing, construction, ICT, digital, and logistics. More than 1,000 businesses contributed insights, resulting in six active projects that are already delivering results. These projects range from upgrading learning facilities to offering Continued Professional Development (CPD) opportunities for educators, and hundreds of learners have benefited from these initiatives.

The report also highlights progress in green skills, with 40 "Green Changemakers" now active across 17 regional organisations to support teacher development. Leadership and management training, essential skills enhancement, and addressing the growing need for digital and environmental expertise have been pivotal focuses in the region.

Corin Crane, CEO of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said,

The report emphasizes that although significant strides have been made, more work is needed to ensure the region's skills landscape continues to evolve to meet economic and employer needs.

With the WMW LSIP and LSIF projects funded through March 2025, the region remains committed to future-proofing its workforce, with collaboration across business, education, and government sectors.