The Greater Devon Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) 2026-2029 has been published today, and NDMA is proud to be a partner in bringing it to life.
Led by Devon Chamber of Commerce as the region’s Employer Representative Body, and approved by the Secretary of State in accordance with the Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022, the plan sets out a shared, employer-led vision for how technical education, workforce development and skills investment can better serve the needs of employers and communities across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.
Why this matters
Greater Devon is at a pivotal moment.
A once-in-a-generation investment pipeline is arriving across defence and marine, clean energy, construction, digital technologies and advanced manufacturing — at the same time as a workforce that is ageing faster than the national average and a productivity gap that has held our economy back for too long.
The challenge is not weak demand for labour. It is demand growing significantly faster than the supply of people with the right technical skills, applied capability and progression routes. Employers across the region report that skills shortages, progression gaps and leadership capability constraints are now the primary barriers to growth and service delivery.
The LSIP is the region’s coordinated response to that challenge.
Built on what employers actually said
The plan is built on one of the most comprehensive employer engagement programmes ever undertaken across Greater Devon. Between June 2025 and March 2026, the programme delivered:
- 1,405 direct employer interactions
- 194 engagements with providers, statutory stakeholders and partners
- 42 events reaching more than 3,000 businesses
With 91% of respondents being SMEs and 61% micro-businesses, the evidence base reflects the real structure of the local economy — not just its largest employers.
The message from employers was consistent, regardless of sector or location: they want a skills system that is easier to navigate, more responsive to workforce demand, and better connected to real employment opportunities.
Four priorities for 2026 to 2029
Across all sectors, employer engagement and labour market analysis point to four cross-cutting priorities that shape the plan:
- Priority 1: Digital Fluency and Future Readiness Digital capability is now a universal productivity requirement, not a niche technical skill. The challenge is effective application, leadership confidence and embedding digital and AI tools into everyday workflows.
- Priority 2: Core Competencies and Impact Skills Communication, reliability, professionalism, problem solving and commercial awareness are the consistently demanded capabilities across the economy. Employers prioritise applied workplace behaviour and job readiness alongside technical skills.
- Priority 3: Leadership, Inclusive Culture and Innovation Leadership quality is a determining factor in retention, productivity, change and workforce development. The loss of major funded management apprenticeships has created a significant progression gap, particularly for SMEs, supervisors and first-line managers.
- Priority 4: Access to Employment and Career Pathways Skills demand is constrained by navigation, visibility and connection, not aspiration. Clearer pathways, flexible provision and stronger employer engagement are needed to convert training into real jobs, progression and retention, especially for young people and economically inactive adults.
What happens next
Publication of the LSIP is a significant milestone, but it marks the beginning of the next phase of work, not the end of it.
Delivery between 2026 and 2029 will be coordinated through the Devon Skills Consortium, a new mechanism bringing together employers, providers, commissioners and partners around shared priorities. Progress will be measured not by the volume of activity undertaken, but by how effectively the local skills system responds to employer demand, supports progression into employment and higher-level learning, and creates positive outcomes for businesses, learners and communities across the region.
Read the plan
The full LSIP report, including detailed sector analysis, four overarching priorities, delivery themes and the complete action plan with responsibilities and KPIs, is available to download now.
