Kent & Medway Local Skills Improvement Plan

Huge thanks to the team at Kent Construction Focus Group #KCFG for inviting us to present at their breakfast meeting this morning. Our LSIP Programme Lead, Camilla Maurice, announced the recent publication of our 2024 Progress Report which outlines the work achieved by the #LSIP so far and the planned next steps which will drive the skills agenda in Kent & Medway forwards; crucially with employers at the heart of the conversation but testament to the collaborative efforts of our stakeholders who are invested in enhancing skills and improving opportunities within our community. Camilla also launched our Construction Skills Survey, the first of our Autumn Surveys; the results of which will help us understand how labour and skills shortages can be addressed in the Construction Sector. Please do complete the survey here to have your voice heard and help inform our next steps -https://lnkd.in/geCkNGh6 Thank you! Samuel Perkins from EKC Group shared their plans for a new Graduate Scheme currently under consultation that they hope will help address the tutor shortage challenges faced in Construction Further Education. EKC Group welcome feedback and advice during the planning stage so please do reach out. We also heard from Ben Geering of Quinn Estates who outlined some of their ambitious and ground-breaking construction projects that have community and infrastructure at the heart. A great morning and a great buzz in the room. KCFG Meet every first Tuesday of the month but not next month as everyone will be at the Kent Construction EXPO on Thursday 3rd October at the Kent Event Centre Detling. You can book your place here - https://lnkd.in/drauvxuJ #LSIP #KCFG #Construction #Kent #Medway

We are delighted to release our Kent & Medway LSIP Annual Progress Report 2024. The report highlights the significant achievements and initiatives undertaken since the LSIP’s inception, demonstrating the importance of employer engagement in the skills agenda. Key areas of focus highlighted in the report include: Addressing skills shortages: The LSIP has made substantial progress in identifying and addressing critical skill gaps across key sectors such as Construction, Manufacturing, Health and Social Care, Food and Food production, and Education. Prioritising future development: The report outlines the LSIP’s future priorities, including further enhancing the capabilities of the regional workforce through targeted training and upskilling initiatives. Collaborative approach: Developed with employers in partnership with education providers, and stakeholders, the LSIP has played a vital role in identifying and addressing skill gaps across sectors and themes, including digital skills, decarbonisation, and SME engagement. Find out more and view the full report here https://lnkd.in/e6HJdZcF

Registration is now open for this event with a fantastic array of themes, very pertinent to our region, on the agenda. Details on our to book are below.

AUGUST KMFG - SITE VISIT TO Knauf UK & Ireland A huge thank you to Jim Simpson and his colleagues at Knauf UK for an engaging and informative KMFG Site Visit yesterday. We express our appreciation for the time and effort Jim and his colleagues dedicated to our visit. Knauf are one of the leading manufacturers of gypsum-based building materials in the UK and the group were shown how their plasterboard is manufactured in a continuous production process, along an incredible 450m of automated line on a series of setting belts, and sections of rollers to the shear. There was an impressive factory tour that highlighted their commitment to safety and the sheer scale of their operations and attendees were also given a practical demonstration of their Airless Finish in their Learning Zone where they offer industry leading, CITB approved training courses for the construction industry. Knauf Ready-Mixed Finish is a highly efficient direct alternative to traditional gypsum plaster for finishing walls and ceilings and everyone there got to try their hand at it. Huge thanks to all involved and to everyone who joined us. COMING NEXT: KMFG - Wednesday 25th September - Royal Engineers Museum https://lnkd.in/e23bkc_R KMFG - Wednesday 30th October - Site Visit to Wire Belt Company Limited https://lnkd.in/e9ymRHQa Please book your free tickets using the links above.

Support the growth of your team with the Bespoke Skills Grant Scheme. If you are in the Folkestone and Hythe district, you could be eligible for funding up to £5,000 to upskill your team in retrofit, green and construction skills. For further information, including eligibility and how to apply, please visit: https://hubs.la/Q02M_Rcd0

For industry professionals looking to step into education but unsure of the transition, our FE colleagues at MidKent College have excellent training programmes to support industry professionals interested in to stepping into the classroom and share industry knowledge with the young people of Kent and Medway. If you are interested in stepping into education and supporting the tutor shortages across key sectors in the region then please reach out to your local college. EKC Group MidKent College North Kent College #lsip #tutorshortages #construction #engineering #manufacturing

KMFG SITE VISIT - Weds 28th August Knauf UK & Ireland, one of the leading manufacturers of gypsum-based building materials in the UK, are kindly opening the doors to their Sittingbourne manufacturing facilities for our August Kent & Medway Manufacturing Focus Group (KMFG). If you are a manufacturer in Kent or Medway, then you are invited. Hosted by their Training Lead for the South, Jim Simpson, join us to hear all about their operations and products, take a tour of their site and even try your hand at Airless Plastering. You can book your free place here https://lnkd.in/ehjACmUu

What a fantastic Kent & Medway Manufacturing Focus Group (KMFG) yesterday! We all enjoyed a fabulous BBQ in the sunshine, as attendees networked and made new connections before we heard from our entertaining, expert Guest Speakers. Huge thanks to Gina English from Social Enterprise Kent (SEK) as she outlined the amazing work SEK do in the region supporting local people and businesses with some of their fantastic projects and social value initiatives. We then heard from Roy Elphick, Head of Engineering at Jazz Pharmaceuticals, the largest tenant on the Kent Science Park on the ground-breaking work they are doing in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing. Last, but by no means least, Andrew Metcalf, Managing Director and Vice Chair of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce provided us all with a comprehensive economic update. There was a general feeling of optimism in the room but work to be done to raise the profile and future growth of the UK Manufacturing Sector, of which we all must play our part. Thank you to Jo Webber and the catering team at Kent Science Park for their hospitality, the Chamber team for the organisation and support of the event and all of our attendees for helping to make the event the success it was! Our next KMFG is a site visit to Knauf UK in August and a face to face in September at the Royal Engineers Museum. We look forward to seeing you all there, you can book your free place here - https://lnkd.in/eyH3jyKJ

Huge thanks to IPS International Ltd for inviting the LSIP Team to attend and speak at their fantastic IPS Engineering Awards at Gillingham Football Club last night celebrating the hard work and achievements of their very special engineering apprentices! It was wonderful to see so many apprentices honoured throughout the evening and the record levels of those receiving distinctions in every unit undertaken which is testament to their amazing effort, the support of the business community and the dedicated commitment of IPS International nurturing and guiding our future engineers. LSIP Project Manager, Camilla Maurice, delivered a passionate speech highlighting the importance of Apprenticeships and Technical Training and the vital role apprentices and the business community play in ensuring the manufacturing and engineering sector has a strong workforce pipeline. Guests also heard from Nathan Wood, of FARMWOOD M&E SERVICES LTD. and his journey as a former apprentice at IPS including his tips, advice and encouragement for the apprentices of today. An inspiring awards ceremony. Well done to all involved and congratulations to every apprentice celebrated throughout the evening. #FutureEngineers #Skills #LSIP #IPSAwards24

With the British Film Institute forecasting a need for nearly 21,000 new crew members by 2025 and the highly anticipated Ashford International Studios on the horizon, now is a great time to prepare for future opportunities in the film and television industry. Screen Ashford needs fresh talent and experienced industry professionals to make it happen! Read the full story here: https://hubs.la/Q02GnHPW0