Surrey’s new employer-led Surrey Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) for 2026-2029 is now live. It sets out how local training equips people with skills needed by local employers.
The Surrey LSIP has been developed by Surrey Chambers of Commerce, with support from Surrey County Council and employers across the county.
It is one of 39 Local Skills Improvement Plans created across the country to ensure local training equips people with skills needed by local employers.
The aim of the updated employer-led strategy is to address the county’s key skills challenges and support long-term economic growth.
Download the Surrey Local Skills Improvement Plan.
What is the Surrey Local Skills Improvement Plan?
Surrey first developed a Local Skills Improvement Plan in 2023. The updated LSIP provides detailed insight and analysis into what priority economic sectors and jobs are for each given area.
It’s been developed through extensive employer engagement, research and stakeholder consultation. The LSIP also 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
- employer engagement
Together, these priorities will help ensure education and training provision remains aligned with the needs of employers. It also supports 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.
What will
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
- 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.
A spokesman for Surrey Chambers said: “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.”
Phil Smith, Chair of Skills England, said: “The Local Skills Improvement Plans give areas a clear roadmap that will help create better skills for better jobs all across the country.
!These LSIPs, alongside the emerging sector jobs plans and the other stakeholder dialogues we are having, are helping us build a much better picture of the skills needs throughout the nation. Skills England is excited to play a key role in that journey, so that employers and learners can benefit in local communities.”
Find out more about the Surrey Local Skills Improvement Plan 2026-2029 by emailing LSIP@surrey-chambers.co.uk.
