West Midlands
West Midlands
Local Skills Improvement Plan Stage 1 published May 2023 (research conducted October 2022 to May 2023); progress reports in years two and three (2024 and 2025) · set by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce
- 12
- Priority sectors
- 27
- Occupations in demand
- 54
- Skills named
- 12
- Funding streams
Employer-led LSIP for the West Midlands Combined Authority area (seven local authorities plus Warwickshire), led by Coventry and Warwickshire, Greater Birmingham and Black Country Chambers of Commerce, informed by over 1,000 employer engagements. It is structured around three cross-cutting Skills Priorities: (1) Confirming Sector Skills Needs, (2) Leadership and Management Skills, and (3) Essential Skills for Employment, all framed by the core themes of digital skills, transition to net zero/green skills, and leadership and management.
What employers here asked for
- Engineering and Manufacturing
- Construction
- ICT and Digital (Digital and ICT)
- Logistics and Distribution
- Electric Vehicles and Battery
- Aerospace
- Health Tech and Med Tech
- Modern and Low Carbon Utility
- Manufacturing of Future Housing
- Health and Social Care
- Creative Industries
- Business and Professional Services
Occupations in demand
A sample: 16 of the 27 occupations the plan names.
- 01Design Engineers
- 02Works Engineers
- 03Engineering Technician
- 04Design and Development Technician
- 05Fabrication and Welding Operative / Technician
- 06Machine Operators
- 07Blacksmiths
- 08Traditional joiners
- 09Health Data Scientist
- 10Skilled Construction Tradespersons
- 11Non-construction professional, technical, IT and other office-based staff
- 12Other construction professionals and technical staff
- 13Other construction process managers
- 14Environmental surveyors
- 15Electricians for solar installations and battery storage products
- 16Multi-skilled installation staff - roofers, ground workers and electricians
Jobs advertised right now
Skills named in the plan
A sample: 12 of the 54 skills the plan names, grouped by kind.
Technical
- Broad engineering skills at Levels 2 and 3 (entry to sector)
- Engineering (at all levels) - the biggest shortage
- Mechanical engineering
- Design and development
- Planning
- Electrification (incl. for existing automotive converting to EVs)
- Hydraulic engineering
- Specialised Electrical Rewinds
- Space skills (aerospace supply chain)
- Research and development
- Chemistry (Health Tech and Med Tech)
- Health data science