Local Skills Improvement Plan Highlights Employer Role in Opening Doors for Young People

April 24, 2025

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough’s LSIP reflects a growing focus on bridging the gap between education and employment.

As employers across Cambridgeshire & Peterborough continue to navigate skills shortages and evolving workforce needs, the region’s Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) is capturing a strong message: businesses want to do more to support young people into work but often need clearer pathways to do so.

Funded by the Department for Education and delivered by the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, the LSIP is based on extensive engagement with employers, education providers, and stakeholders. Its findings reflect a national conversation around the barriers young people face when entering the workforce.

A recent article in FE News framed the issue clearly:

“Many young people have the motivation to succeed but don’t know where to start… Employers hold the keys to unlocking potential, but they need support to do it well.”

This aligns with key themes in the LSIP’s ongoing work, where many businesses report wanting to offer work experience, mentoring, or school engagement, but struggle to navigate the processes or find the time and resource to follow through.

Recent events from the Chamber have brought together local leaders from education, community, and business to explore shared solutions – from making enterprise education more visible to creating joined-up initiatives that make it easier for employers to get involved. Visit our events page to learn more about these impactful gatherings and upcoming opportunities.

As the LSIP continues to gather insights across sectors, one trend is increasingly clear: creating better connections between business and education isn’t just a skills issue, it’s a community one. And meaningful progress depends on collaboration, clarity, and sustained commitment from all sides.

📩 If your business or organisation is working on skills, training, or supporting young people into work, the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough LSIP wants to hear from you.

Email: lsip@cambscci.co.uk