At West Thames College, we are proud to be at the heart of the conversation surrounding skills development and education in West London. The release of the West London Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) Progress Report marks an important milestone in aligning the needs of local employers with the skills provided by educational institutions. This process directly benefits the local economy and workforce.
The report, launched on September 5, 2024, outlines the significant strides made since the plan's introduction in January 2023. These efforts have paved the way for a robust collaboration between employers, educational providers, and local authorities, focusing on critical industries such as creative roles, health and social care, hospitality, and logistics.
Notably, West Thames College has played a key role in these initiatives, working closely with the West London Business (WLB) and other partners to ensure the plan's success.
Reflecting on this progress, Tracy Aust, Principal & CEO of West Thames College and Chair of the West London FE Principals Group, emphasised the importance of strengthening relationships between Further Education (FE) institutions and local employers:
“The LSIP process has been welcomed by the FE sector in West London as an opportunity to reinvigorate relationships with local employers in priority sectors. The subsequent Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) has also presented a great opportunity for FE to invest in realigning provision with local business needs.
We’ve worked hard to build relationships with businesses, engaging with many new employer voices to develop and shape advisory boards in the priority sectors of logistics, health and social care, and food and drink manufacturing. These FE/employer advisory boards work to address the unique skills challenges in the sector and ensure curriculum development is relevant for today's and the future’s workforce. Creating physical skills hubs for Retail and Logistics further supports residents to find and keep good local jobs in two of our sub-region’s most important sectors.
The excellent partnership working in West London has put us in a great position to continue to deliver on LSIP priorities, and we look forward to leading the way on skills.”
Tracy’s words reflect the core values of West Thames College—dedication to fostering meaningful partnerships and driving educational innovation that directly serves our community. The creation of new skills hubs and advisory boards, coupled with the LSIP's focus on aligning education with business needs, has already resulted in tangible benefits for West London residents. These efforts demonstrate how local education can serve as a powerful tool for both economic recovery and social mobility.
At West Thames College, we are committed to continuing this vital work, ensuring that our students are equipped with the skills needed to succeed in the ever-evolving job market. The partnerships we have forged with local employers are the cornerstone of this success, and we remain focused on delivering educational excellence that drives positive change in the region.
For more information about the West London LSIP and West Thames College's role in this initiative, please visit West London LSIP.
