North East Local Skills Improvement Plan June 2025 Progress Report Published

Posted on June 30, 2025

The North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA) has today released the June 2025 Progress Report on the delivery of the North East Local Skills Improvement Plan (NELSIP), originally launched in June 2023.

The report provides a detailed update on the region’s progress in addressing key technical skills priorities across County Durham, Sunderland, Gateshead, and South Tyneside. It highlights significant achievements, including:

The UKSPF funded Inclusivity Pilot for Advanced Manufacturing – South Tyneside and the UKSPF funded Training for Growth Pilot – Sunderland supporting the recruitment of 31 new apprentices.
Over 600 new Level 3+ technical training starts and the development of 42 new technical courses, supported by the North East Local Skills Improvement Fund (NELSIF).
The launch of MADE North East, a £14.67 million initiative led by Nissan to drive innovation and skills in advanced manufacturing.
The creation of immersive digital hubs and new pathways into digital careers, through initiatives such as Tech Talent Engine and Digital Up North.

The report aligns closely with the North East Combined Authority’s (NECA) Local Growth Plan and the emerging New Deal for North East Workers, while also identifying key challenges that remain as the region transitions to a single LSIP model.

Skills Minister Jacqui Smith commented: “I am pleased to see the progress being made to bring these Local Skills Improvement Plans to life.

“We remain committed to the LSIP model as part of our Plan for Change, and have strengthened the role that Mayors and Strategic Authorities will play in identifying and addressing the local skills issues in the plans.

“Skills England will work hand-in-hand with businesses, education providers, Mayors and Strategic Authorities, unions, and other bodies to tackle skills shortages, co-creating solutions to ensure more opportunities for young people and existing workers wherever they are based in the country.”

The report also highlights the need for sustained funding beyond June 2025, including greater support for SMEs and underrepresented groups.

Paul Butler, Chief Executive of the NEAA, said: “The LSIP is as much a process of change as it is a delivery plan. Our NELSIP was shaped by the region’s strategic economic priorities and informed by over 1,800 stakeholder engagements.

“This report demonstrates how the region has embraced the plan, with many programmes and initiatives already delivering real impact.”

Matt Boyle OBE, Chairman of the NEAA, added: “This progress report shows the power of collaboration between employers, educators, and local authorities. By highlighting industry needs and expressing those needs in a clear executable plan, it is a vital step in building a skilled, inclusive workforce that can power the North East’s economic future.”

The NELSIP team will continue to work closely with NECA and other partners to ensure a smooth transition to a single, integrated LSIP for the wider North East region from September 2025.

Read the full report: https://nelsip.com/resources / NELSIP-June-2025-Progress-Report.pdf