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Greater Devon

Local Skills Improvement Plan 2026-2029 · set by Devon Chamber of Commerce

14
Priority sectors
16
Occupations in demand
32
Skills named
9
Funding streams

The Greater Devon LSIP 2026-2029 (Devon Chamber of Commerce as Employer Representative Body; covers Devon, Plymouth and Torbay) identifies 14 key sectors in three tiers plus four cross-cutting overarching priorities: Digital Fluency and Future Readiness, Core Competencies and Impact Skills, Leadership Inclusive Culture and Innovation, and Access to Employment and Career Pathways. Tier 1 investment/growth anchors are Defence and Marine, Health and Social Care, Construction and Clean Energy; Tier 2 productivity/diversification sectors are Digital and Technologies, Advanced Manufacturing, Creative Industries, Life Sciences, Financial Services and Professional and Business Services (all six align to the UK Industrial Strategy's eight national growth sectors); Tier 3 bedrock/community sectors are Hospitality and Tourism, Farming and Food, Education and Transport and Logistics.

What employers here asked for

  • Health and Social Care
  • Construction
  • Hospitality and Tourism
  • Farming and Food
  • Education
  • Transport and Logistics

National growth sectors

Designated by government, not chosen locally.

  • Defence and Marine
  • Clean Energy
  • Digital and Technologies
  • Advanced Manufacturing
  • Professional and Business Services
  • Creative Industries
  • Life Sciences
  • Financial Services

Occupations in demand

Every occupation the plan names.

  1. 01Electrical, mechanical and systems engineering technicians and professionals
  2. 02Nursing associate
  3. 03Registered nurse
  4. 04Quantity Surveyor / Civil Engineer / Construction Manager
  5. 05Retrofit / heat pump installers
  6. 06Energy technician / energy engineers (offshore wind)
  7. 07Software Developer
  8. 08Cyber Security specialists
  9. 09Robotics and automation technicians
  10. 10Law, accountancy, research management and financial services professionals
  11. 11Teachers
  12. 12Early years practitioners
  13. 13SEND specialist educators
  14. 14EV technician
  15. 15LGV drivers / transport supervisors
  16. 16Supervisors and first-line managers

Jobs advertised right now

Skills named in the plan

A sample: 12 of the 32 skills the plan names, grouped by kind.

Digital

  • Digital fluency and future readiness (effective application of digital and AI tools)
  • Confident and independent use of core digital tools (Microsoft 365, Google Suite, communication platforms)
  • Application of sector-specific digital systems (CRM, rostering, BIM, automation tools, digital care systems)
  • Practical use of AI tools within workflows (drafting, analysis, task automation)
  • Data handling, file management and secure information transfer
  • Cyber awareness and safe handling of sensitive data
  • Understanding of risk, governance, data protection and ethical use of AI

Technical

  • Operation and monitoring of automated systems, robotics and programmable equipment
  • Technician-level competence aligned to sector needs
  • Troubleshooting, fault-finding and problem-solving in operational environments
  • Quality assurance, regulatory compliance and adherence to industry standards
  • Green skills (retrofit, heat pump installation, low-carbon methods, offshore wind)