Statutory guidance

Annex A: Design and format of the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP)

Updated 18 November 2025

Applies to England

Plans should be clear and focused, summarising the key skills needs in the area and outlining the recommended actions to address them. In most cases, the main body of the LSIP (excluding annexes) is not expected to exceed 30 pages.

Each area may use its own branding and page design when producing the LSIP. However, to ensure consistency across regions, all LSIPs should follow the general structure outlined below.

Table 1: Overview of LSIP report

Parts	Content
Introduction and Executive Summary	This section should explain what the LSIP is, who it is intended for and why it is relevant to them. It should also include an executive summary of the main content of the LSIP.
Strategic and economic context	This section should explain how the LSIP fits within the broader strategic and economic context for the area, identifying which of the Industrial Strategy sectors are important to the local area, and reflecting the economic plans and sector priorities of the strategic authority where they exist. In non-devolved areas, it should draw from the economic analysis and plans of the local authority. There should also be a description of how the LSIP supports and feeds into other local plans and strategies, including the Local Get Britain Working Plan.
1. Local skill needs	This section should clearly set out the key current and medium term (three-year) skill needs of the area, following the process set out in this guidance. It should explain how the evidence, data and insights gathered under stage 1 have informed these, and any prioritisation that was required. We expect each area to identify around 4 to 6 overarching priorities. While skills needs can be described using locally relevant terminology, a separate annexed table should categorise them using Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) and Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes. This will support national stakeholders, including Skills England, in comparing and analysing data across areas. For more details on SOC and SIC classifications, see Annex D.
2. Agreed changes / actions needed	This section should clearly outline the agreed changes or actions required to address each of the key skill needs identified in section 1. It should also describe the expected outcomes and impacts, and how they will be measured. Details of specific activities to deliver these changes / actions should be presented in a table, as an annex to the LSIP (see below).
Annex A Further / explanatory information on Skills Needs	This annex should provide additional or more detailed information about the skills needs identified in the LSIP, where relevant and not included in the main body of the document. It should also define the key occupations and industries that are being targeted and map them to the most relevant SOC and SIC codes. While SOC codes remain essential for consistent analysis across areas, they may not capture the full breadth of emerging or highly specialised roles, particularly in sectors like digital and clean energy. Where roles are not currently assigned SOC codes, the annex should be completed with clear definitions, together with the rationale for why a SOC has not been used. These definitions will be used as qualitative insights within our reports, helping to ensure that new and evolving occupations are accurately represented. For more information on SOC and SIC codes, see Annex D.
Annex B	This Annex should contain a table that outlines the specific activities required to implement each of the recommended changes or actions. For each activity, the table should clearly specify: Lead Organisation(s): Who is responsible for driving the activity forward. Supporting Partners: Other organisations or stakeholders that need to be involved. Timescales: When the activity will start and finish, and key milestones. Expected Outcomes: What the activity aims to achieve. Monitoring and measurement: How progress will be tracked and measured. The purpose of this table is to give all partners a clear understanding of their roles in delivering the LSIP recommendations. Please note: This table should be treated as a live document and updated as needed throughout the three-year LSIP cycle.
Annex C: Background and Method	This section should explain the approach used to develop the LSIP, and how it aligns with the process outlined in this guidance. It should: 1. Outline the Evidence Base Clearly identify the sources of evidence used to develop the LSIP and explain why these sources are considered robust and relevant. This should include employer feedback, the national Industrial Strategy, the sector priorities set by the Strategic Authority, local economic plans of local authorities, broader local labour market information and analysis (including from the Strategic Authority and/or local authorities), and data and insights provided by Skills England. 2. Demonstrate Alignment with the LSIP Guidance Explain how development followed the process outlined in this guidance, including the breadth and depth of employer engagement undertaken, which should extend beyond the membership of the Employer Representative Body (ERB). You should also explain how all categories of providers have been involved, including those with statutory duties under the Act and those without, and how local stakeholders have been involved. 3. Environmental and Net Zero Goals Describe how the LSIP has taken into account the skills needed for jobs that support Net Zero targets, climate change adaptation and other environmental goals. 4. Equality of Opportunity Explain how equality considerations have been taken into consideration. This could include exploring how diversifying talent pools can help tackle skills shortages, including through marketing and engagement with community outreach projects to promote opportunities in priority sectors, and identification of physical or digital barriers to training (for example online access, accessible training materials). 5. Describe the Governance Structure Provide an overview of the governance arrangements that supported the development of the LSIP.