Department of Education event 5th December 2023
Essex LSIP – great work recognised by the Skills Minister 
The Department for Education (DfE) hosted an event on 5th December in Westminster to celebrate the publication of all LSIPs nationally, share best practice and to take a forward look at delivery and next steps. This included a speech from Skills Minister Robert Halfon MP who particularly acknowledged the great work underway in Essex through the LSIP.
The event also highlighted the importance of local partnership and how successful the approach in Essex has been in this regard. Going forward, it was agreed that collaborating with other LSIP areas regularly will be hugely beneficial.
Chelmsford College Celebrates 60th anniversary on 7th December 2023
Chelmsford College was proud to celebrate its 60th anniversary on the 7th December and was attended by some of the LSIP Project Team. Alumni (some who are now college staff), former Principals (including LSIP Executive Director Andy Sparks!), ex-Senior Leaders and partners marked this momentous achievement. Guests included British educationalist Sir Michael Barber and MP for Chelmsford, Vicky Ford. Current students were also fully involved, many helping to ensure the event was a success.
Chelmsford College have been delivering against the LSIP and incorporating it in to their work. The Local Skills Improvement Fund will enable repurposing of the College’s Learning Resource Centre into a digital and employability hub. This is aligned to both the Essex sectoral priorities and the skills priorities identified in the LSIP.
You can view the press release here and a video with highlights of the event is at this link.
South Essex College Group launch new IoT facilities. 
Following the successful launch of facilities at Chelmsford College earlier in the year, the LSIP Project Team members attended the opening of the new IoT facilities at South Essex College’s Thurrock Campus in Grays. These include state of the art facilities and equipment to support sectors such as transport and logistics, engineering and digital. Employer partners include Balfour Beatty, DP World and Leonardo.
A video of the South Essex College opening can be viewed here. Further information about the opening and the IoT is available here.
NHS Roundtable 13th December 2023
Bringing together the biggest employer in Essex to start discussing the Local Skills Improvement Plan and how we can work collaboratively was vital part in taking the first steps towards creating a stronger and deeper relationship with the NHS. It is our intention to work at a more granular level with the NHS so we can support better integrated pathways to skills solutions across the county. Our thanks go to Ian Tomkins, Kevin Garrod, Rachel Jennings, Anna Bokobza, Rachel Gray for their vital input.
We are looking forward to 2024 and moving the dial on some of our shared objectives.
Supporting Curriculum Planning – Chelmsford College 18th December
Providing detailed CPD to our college and ITP community is clearly something that will enhance a deeper understanding of the Local Skills Improvement Plan, and how best or appropriate the response to curriculum planning and its development can be.
Many thanks to Chelmsford college for inviting Joanne Giles to spend the entire morning with your leadership teams and department heads focussing on this topic and how the college is and can continue to respond appropriately to the sector priorities outlined in the Local Skills Improvement Plan.
Roundtable hosted by Lucy Frazer KC MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 10th January 2024.
The Department for Education (DfE) were in attendance at the event on the 10th January, to share best practice and to take a forward look at delivery and next steps.
Vital information was shared, and best practice discussed. Going forward, it was agreed that collaborating with other LSIP areas regularly will be hugely beneficial as this industry is growing faster rate than the overall economy.
Curriculum Planning & LSIP Priorities Thurrock Adult Community College 13th January 2024
Many thanks to Thurrock Adult Community College for inviting Joanne Giles to spend the entire morning with your leadership team focussing on how the college can continue to respond appropriately to the community needs and priorities outlined in the Local Skills Improvement Plan.
LSIP Governing Bodies Collaboration Event 18th January 2024
FEDEC brought together Principles, CEO’s, Governors, Essex County Council, DFE ,Andy Sparkes and Jo Giles from Essex Chambers of Commerce Local Skills Improvement Plan for an evening of thought leadership and discussion.
Providing further insight into the LSIP and LSIF and how working in partnership can create a collegiate approach to planning the skills offer across the county.