Ensuring that the skills needs of the regional economy, and in key sectors in particular, are addressed at level 3 and above (including Higher Education)

Whilst the South West has a highly qualified workforce, projections of future demand show that supply will need to increase at intermediate and higher levels. The Leitch Review endorses this, proposing a shift to Level 3 and higher level skills. The supply of Level 3 skills in the region will need to improve to meet predicted demand for such skills and the provision of higher level skills needs to be better linked to regional priorities. The Level 3 Review identifies those sectors which present the greatest challenge in Level 3 terms.

The very focused sectoral nature of the skills shortages and gaps in the region demands a sectorally focused approach. The RSP's Sectors Operations Group already provides the forum for establishing a dialogue between individual sector groups and partner agencies to develop solutions for the short and the medium term.

The RSP will:

• Task Sector Operations Group Partners with the development of longer term skills development plans, including a plan to improve provision in the skilled trades in sectors that have been identified as priorities.

• Ensure that all current and future sector skills needs are comprehensively understood and actioned where appropriate.

• Ensure that the Sector Operations Group works closely with the leads for the identified cross sector themes to ensure that sector requirements are being taken into consideration by sharing information on demand as articulated in Sector Skills Agreement.

• Seek to encourage higher-level vocational skills development, by ensuring that regional skills objectives are clearly embedded in the regional priorities established by the HE Regional Strategy Group.  This should aim to address identified gaps in HE provision, and to develop cross-partner actions to encourage greater take up of key subjects such as maths and engineering. This work should support decisions on the allocation of additional student numbers and should be led by the HE Regional Strategy Group.

• Seek to increase the development of higher-level skills of those that are in work. To this end the HE Regional Strategy Group should consider how it can further support and build on the Higher Level Skills Pathfinder Project [HLSPP].

• Review the impact of current graduate retention strategies.

• Implement the recommendations of the Level 3 review.