Business leaders, training providers and council officers gathered in Merley House in Wimborne recently to join in a new initiative to close the skills gap in Dorset.

More than 60 delegates attended the launch of the three-year Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP)

The Department for Education funded programme – led by Dorset Chamber – will review the county’s skills and training provision to ensure it aligns with the needs of business.

Thousands of Dorset firms will be invited to take part in online and face to face research to understand the skills they need and shape recommendations on how Government could improve how these skills are delivered and accessed.

Dorset Chamber chief executive Ian Girling said: “The Dorset LSIP will shine a light on how the skills need is changing in Dorset, what skills are needed and the changes required to the way skills are delivered so that businesses have workforces to meet current and future demands.

“It is a challenge with the way the world is changing so quickly in terms of technology, and the way business is changing but it is vital that education, skills and business are completely aligned with each other.”

A multi-sector panel of experts gave their perspectives at the event before an open discussion about working together to change the skills landscape for Dorset.

They included May Palmer, managing director of Wimborne-based construction firm Harry J Palmer, Jamie Sergeant, chief executive of Bournemouth-based agency Crowd, Howard Gunstock, of Carbon Kapture seaweed farms, and Raina Summerson, chief executive of Portland-based care business Agincare.

The first phase of the Dorset LSIP is designed to scope and understand the areas and job roles in which Dorset employers want and need better skills.

Its initial findings will be shared with contributors in February before its review report is submitted to the Department for Education in May.

Its recommendations will shape the type and method of delivery of skills, including the format and curriculum.

Nicola Newman, LSIP co-ordinator, said: “What is different about the Dorset LSIP is that it will pinpoint and make recommendations about the specific skills needed by Dorset businesses.

“It will make detailed suggestions about how these skills could be delivered, or the current delivery could be expanded or improved.

“The launch was a great success. It demonstrated both the strength of the current skills landscape and partnerships in Dorset, and the need for closer employer, provider, learner understanding as the pace of change continues to accelerate for us all.

“If you have skills needs or a suggestion on how skills provision should change, we want your input.

“Visit the website, register your involvement and join the conversation. We want to reach as many employers as possible across the whole of Dorset.”

To get involved, visit: www.dorsetchamber.co.uk/lsip or follow #changingskills on social media.