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East Midlands

South-east Midlands

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

13
Priority sectors
45
Occupations in demand
40
Skills named
6
Funding streams

Employer-led LSIP 2.0 for the South Midlands (self-titled "South Midlands"; the six local authorities are Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton, Milton Keynes, North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire), covering 2026-2029, approved under the Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022. It frames itself around the Industrial Strategy IS-8+2 sectors plus key regional enabling sectors (logistics, food/drink/hospitality).

What employers here asked for

  • Logistics and supply chain
  • Food, drink, hospitality and Creative / Visitor Economy
  • Inclusion, NEET, SEND and entry-level skills

National growth sectors

Designated by government, not chosen locally.

  • Construction, retrofit, Net Zero and Infrastructure (housing, rail, regeneration)
  • Health and social care
  • Advanced manufacturing and engineering
  • Digital, AI and cross-cutting skills
  • Clean Energy / Net Zero
  • Creative Industries
  • Defence
  • Financial Services
  • Life Sciences
  • Professional and Business Services

Occupations in demand

A sample: 16 of the 45 occupations the plan names.

  1. 01CNC, composites, automation and R&D roles
  2. 02HGV drivers and supervisors
  3. 03Nursing associates
  4. 04Chefs (SOC 5434)
  5. 05Hotel and accommodation managers and proprietors (SOC 1221)
  6. 06Restaurant and catering establishment managers and proprietors (SOC 1223)
  7. 07Catering and bar managers (SOC 5436)
  8. 08Kitchen and catering assistants (SOC 9273)
  9. 09Production managers and directors in manufacturing (SOC 1121)
  10. 10Laboratory technicians (SOC 3111)
  11. 11Food, drink and tobacco process operatives (SOC 8111)
  12. 12Engineering technicians (SOC 3113)
  13. 13Quality control and planning engineers (SOC 2461)
  14. 14Managers and directors in transport and distribution (SOC 1161)
  15. 15Transport and distribution clerks and assistants (SOC 4134)
  16. 16Shelf fillers / Elementary storage occupations (SOC 9251/9258)

Jobs advertised right now

Skills named in the plan

A sample: 12 of the 40 skills the plan names, grouped by kind.

Digital

  • Digital literacy and AI awareness across all roles
  • Data literacy and analytical skills
  • Digital care records, remote monitoring, data handling and digital confidence

Technical

  • Green skills (Net Zero and sustainability integrated into sector programmes)
  • Construction trades (bricklaying, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, plastering, construction operations, plant, CSCS-linked employability, building services)
  • Site supervision, construction management, building services engineering, retrofit coordination, digital construction/BIM awareness
  • Civil engineering, construction project management, sustainability leadership, infrastructure planning
  • Retrofit, low-carbon heating, heat pumps, EV infrastructure, building services and electrical infrastructure skills
  • Adult care worker, healthcare assistant, support worker, medication awareness, dementia awareness, mental health support, SEND support
  • Lead practitioner, care supervisor, nursing associate, rehabilitation support, digital care implementation
  • Nursing, allied health professions, health sciences, leadership and management, specialist clinical and care pathways
  • Warehousing, HGV, transport operations, inventory control, logistics coordination, team leading