The Local Skills Improvement Partnership
We are a consortium of experienced advisors and consultants who have put together this site to help you deliver the best Local Skills Improvement Plan for your region
We combine our extensive experience, with findings from evidence, evaluation and guidance to provide expert advice and support to Supercharge your Local Skills Improvement Plan
This site Provides
Information about LSIPs, what they are for and who can benefit
Guidance on delivering high impact LSIPs that can transform your local skills system
The Ultimate LSIP Guide
Click on the button below to request the Ultimate LSIP guide.
Our experts
Glenn Athey
Glenn (BA, MA, PhD) has 31 years of experience in local and regional skills and labour market policy and analysis. Glenn has held senior roles at Futureskills Scotland, London Development Agency, Centre for Cities, The East of England Development Agency, and Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough LEP.
Mike Spicer
Mike (B.Sc., M.Sc.) has over 20 years of experience as an economist, business policy expert, and economic development specialist with over 20 years’ experience. Mike founded PolicyDepartment after a decade at the British Chambers of Commerce working as Director of Economics, Policy, and Research, building strong UK business connections.
Hannah Lazarus
Hannah (B.Sc.) has 22 years of experience as a labour market economist, specialising in skills strategies. Prior to consultancy, Hannah was an economic analyst at the East of England Development Agency, where she co-produced the Regional Economic Strategy and Implementation Plan (leading on skills and employability) and a research analyst at the East of England Skills and Competitiveness Partnership.
We Have Direct Experience of Delivering Local Skills Plans
- Positioning organisations to be the no. 1 authority on labour market, skills and employment issues in their locality and region
- Bringing employers and training and skills providers to make the skills system work better for the local economy
- Engaging with employers and businesses to include their needs within the skills system and provision
We Have an Outstanding Delivery Record for Local and Regional Skills Work
- South Yorkshire skills strategies: LSIP evidence base and drafting support, and support for the People and Skills Manifesto (2022/23)
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough LSIP: Quarterly reviews and events for the Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce (ongoing)
- Warwickshire Careers, Employment and Skills Strategy and Action Plan (2024/25)
- Regional skills action plans for the Forth Valley Region and Tay Cities Region in Scotland (2024/25)
- Green Economy and Jobs Strategy and Action Plan for North of Tyne Combined Authority (2022)
- Vocational skills for 16-19 year olds in the West of England for WECA (2021)
- Evidence base and analysis for the Liverpool City Region Skills Strategy (2018)
Hire the best to deliver the best
Experienced Professionals Who Have Delivered Skills Plans Before
Our consultants – Glenn Athey, Mike Spicer, and Hannah Lazarus – each have over 20 years of applied experience in labour markets, skills, and economics.We have held senior roles in influential organisations and possess a deep understanding of the UK skills and employment landscape.
Credible Communicators
We speak the language of leaders and senior stakeholders, delivering impactful presentations and fostering trust
High Impact Reporting
Our reports are are action-oriented, insightful, and written with ministerial impact. We use robust data, cutting-edge analysis techniques (including Lightcast, Adzuna and The Data City), and deliver clear calls to action
Our Clients are Superfans
“Glenn delivers high quality advice and insights based on years of experience with no fuss, he just delivers the results you need.”
“Glenn’s work is highly professional, demonstrating a very high level of stakeholder management, workshop and facilitation skills.”
Local London
“Glenn is an uber-consultant, a cut above the rest.”
UK Innovation Corridor
“Glenn, Mike and Hannah delivered us a high quality and locally focused employment, careers and skills strategy and action plan that allows us to take our approach and reputation for skills to the next level.”
Local Authorities Want These 5 Things from Local Skills Improvement Plans
The next round of Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) kicks off in Autumn 2025. At the planning stage, it is a good idea to get an understanding of major stakeholder needs and how they can contribute. It is also worth asking how they think you can improve from the...
The Best Local Skills Improvement Plans Have These Five Qualities
The best Local Skills Improvement Plans have 5 qualities, as follows: 1) 𝘌𝘹𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘌𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵** Use the connections and role of the Chambers of Commerce and other business representative employers** Include large public and private employers**...
Five Reasons to Support Local Skills Improvement Plans This Autumn
1. 𝘊𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘨𝘢𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨–𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘮 - 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁. Labour market plans will always need to be updated and aligned with economic development priorities.- 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗦𝗜𝗣 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗯𝗹𝗮𝘇𝗲𝗿...
The Ultimate Guide to LSIPs!
Our comprehensive guide is available for free! it covers leadership, planning research techniques and tips, stakeholder management and maximising engagement. Enter your email address opposite to get sent a copy.
