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New employer-led Surrey Local Skills Improvement Plan for 2026-2029 has been launched
16th July 2026
On Friday 10th July the government announced that 39 Local Skills Improvement Plans had been published to ensure local training equips people with skills needed by local employers. They provide detailed insight and analysis into what priority economic sectors and jobs are for each given area. Led by employers and driven by Employer Representative Bodies (ERB) and Strategic authorities these plans are focused on their local area.
Surrey Chambers of Commerce, as the ERB, has officially launched the Surrey Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) 2026-2029, setting out a new employer-led strategy to address the county’s key skills challenges and support long-term economic growth.
This new LSIP marks the beginning of a distinctly Surrey-focused approach to skills planning, co designed with Surrey County Council. Developed through extensive employer engagement, research and stakeholder consultation, the plan identifies the skills priorities that matter most to local businesses and outlines practical actions to help build a workforce equipped for the future.
The Surrey LSIP focuses on six priority areas that reflect the county’s current and future workforce needs. These include manufacturing and engineering, construction and the green economy, health and social care, digital technologies, employability skills and employer engagement. Together, these priorities will help ensure education and training provision remains aligned with the needs of employers while supporting inclusive economic growth across Surrey.
The plan highlights several challenges facing the county, including skills shortages, recruitment difficulties, workforce retention and changing technological demands. It also recognises Surrey’s strengths, including its position as a leading UK hub for Artificial Intelligence, and the opportunities this presents for businesses and learners alike.
The launch of the LSIP marks the beginning of the delivery phase, with a range of employer-led initiatives planned over the next three years. These include encouraging more women into engineering through targeted role model programmes, strengthening the construction skills pipeline through a Supply Chain and Capability Exchange programme, delivering ‘Recruit to Retain’ leadership training for health and social care managers, piloting digital capability assessments for businesses and developing a core employability skills programme to better prepare learners for the workplace.
The Surrey LSIP will continue to evolve through collaboration with employers, education and training providers, local authorities and wider stakeholders. By working together, partners will help ensure Surrey develops a skilled, adaptable and resilient workforce capable of meeting the changing needs of its economy.
Employers and stakeholders are encouraged to engage with the Surrey LSIP throughout its delivery by sharing insights, participating in sector discussions and helping shape future skills provision. Together, these partnerships will support businesses to grow, create new opportunities for residents and strengthen Surrey’s economy for years to come.
For more information about the Surrey Local Skills Improvement Plan 2026–2029, or to find out how to get involved, please contact us via LSIP@surrey-chambers.co.uk or visit our Future Skills Hub.
