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Cheshire and Warrington

Local Skills Improvement Plan 2026-2029 · set by South and North Cheshire Chamber of Commerce

10
Priority sectors
19
Occupations in demand
59
Skills named
12
Funding streams

The Cheshire & Warrington LSIP 2026-2029 is an employer-led plan (built on 130+ employer meetings, a survey of 184 businesses and in-depth sector interviews) that names four priority growth sectors (advanced manufacturing, life sciences, clean energy, agri-tech and food security), business and professional services, and two foundational sectors (construction and the built environment, health and social care), plus three cross-cutting themes: digital and creative, sustainability, and the visitor economy as an economic-inclusion enabler. The central thread is progression: turning Level 2/3 qualifications into scarce Level 4-5 technician and higher-technical/degree pathways, embedding digital, AI, data and sustainability skills across all sectors, and hard-wiring essential business/employability skills.

What employers here asked for

  • Life Sciences
  • Agri-tech and Food Security
  • Construction and the Built Environment
  • Health and Social Care
  • Digital and Creative
  • Sustainability
  • Visitor Economy

National growth sectors

Designated by government, not chosen locally.

  • Advanced Manufacturing
  • Clean Energy
  • Business and Professional Services

Occupations in demand

A sample: 16 of the 19 occupations the plan names.

  1. 01Experienced engineers and technicians
  2. 02Degree-level engineers (mechanical and electrical engineers)
  3. 03Engineering technicians (electrical, electronics and process technicians, Levels 4-5)
  4. 04Skilled trades: machinists, fabricators and vehicle technicians (Levels 2-3)
  5. 05Finance and investment analysts, accountants and financial professionals
  6. 06Management consultants and business analysts
  7. 07Software developers and digital specialists
  8. 08Legal and compliance specialists
  9. 09Engineers, technicians and skilled trades
  10. 10Plastic cable jointers
  11. 11Plumbing engineers and retrofit coordinators
  12. 12Biomedical scientists and clinical researchers
  13. 13Bioinformaticians and data specialists
  14. 14Regulatory and quality assurance professionals
  15. 15Laboratory and manufacturing technicians
  16. 16Registered managers

Jobs advertised right now

Skills named in the plan

A sample: 12 of the 59 skills the plan names, grouped by kind.

Technical

  • Level 3 and above skills (general)
  • Technical skills, digital and data capability, and leadership and management
  • Sustainability literacy across professional and technical (mid-green) roles

Digital

  • Digital skills embedded in existing roles
  • Python (embedded in engineering apprenticeship frameworks)
  • AI and machine learning skills
  • AI governance and digital transformation skills
  • SQL, Data Analysis, Agile Methodology, C# and Technical Support
  • Software development, business operations and IT (Digital Route standards)
  • AI-assisted creative skills: creative direction, editorial judgement and audience strategy
  • AR/VR simulation and IoT condition-based maintenance skills
  • Digital literacy (MS Office, AI tools, digital content creation, online services, cybersecurity, data analytics)