Backed by the UK government’s Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) and driven by the City of Liverpool College, an ambitious effort has been developed to close critical skills gaps in sectors like healthcare, digital, manufacturing, and construction. But this isn’t just another training programme. It’s a reimagining of what it means to connect education, industry, and opportunity.

At the heart of this revolution lies a simple but powerful idea: to give people the skills they actually need to succeed—and to ensure those skills match what employers actually want.

Skills that Speak to Employers

Across the Liverpool City Region, businesses have long struggled to find workers with the right training. Traditional education models have often lagged behind, failing to keep pace with industry demands. Enter LSIF—a collaborative initiative bringing educators and employers into the same room to co-design targeted, future-focused training courses.

From bespoke digital tech qualifications to construction-ready certifications, these programmes are designed not in isolation but in lockstep with real economic need. “We’re now producing graduates who can hit the ground running,” said one employer partner. “This is what modern workforce development should look like.”

It’s a win-win: companies get a skilled, job-ready workforce; learners get a clearer path to long-term employment.

Learning for Life, Not Just for Work

But the story doesn’t end there. The fund has also championed lifelong learning—a concept often spoken about but rarely delivered with such focus. Adults at any stage of their career can now access flexible, practical upskilling opportunities, helping them adapt to new technologies or even pivot into entirely new roles.

Whether it’s a parent returning to the workforce, a mid-career worker facing redundancy, or someone pursuing a dream deferred, the model being adopted by the City of Liverpool College offers a second (or third) chance at meaningful career progression.

Building Social Mobility From the Ground Up

Perhaps most crucially, this isn’t just a project for the few—it’s a project for everyone. In communities where access to opportunity has often felt out of reach, our programmes have helped break down entrenched barriers. By placing accessibility and equity at its core, the initiative is helping lift individuals—and entire neighbourhoods—towards brighter futures.

The Year 1 report shows encouraging signs: over 2,000 learners engaged, dozens of new courses launched, and partnerships with over 50 local businesses. The ripple effects are already being felt, from stronger CVs to greater confidence, better wages, and more inclusive workplaces.

What Comes Next?

This is only the beginning. With continued investment and collaboration, the model could become a national model for how to futureproof a workforce—and a region.

But the success of this programme depends on you.

Are you a local employer ready to shape the workforce of tomorrow? A resident eager to reskill or upskill? A partner looking to invest in real change?

Get involved. Learn more about the Local Skills Improvement Fund and how it can benefit you or your organisation by visiting City of Liverpool College’s College for Business. The future of Liverpool’s economy is being built today—be part of it.

By Kat Johnson, City of Liverpool College College for Business