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West Yorkshire

Supporting West Yorkshire to build the skills its economy needs 

West Yorkshire has a diverse and evolving economy. Employers are facing changing skills requirements across established industries and emerging growth sectors. 

At NCFE, we work with providers, employers and regional partners to understand these needs and support the development of learning that reflects local priorities. 

From building essential and technical skills to preparing learners for emerging opportunities, we can support local skills requirements. Our qualifications can help providers support people into positive employment opportunities, progress their careers and contribute to the region's economic growth. 

Ready to strengthen your provision and meet local demand? Partner with us today. 

 

The West Yorkshire LSIP Agenda  

What is the West Yorkshire LSIP aiming to achieve? 

The West Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) is focused on creating a skills system that responds more effectively to the needs of employers and individuals. 

Its priorities include developing the technical skills needed across key sectors. It also addresses skills shortages, workforce productivity and helping more residents access and progress in good employment. 

The LSIP recognises the importance of transferable skills and responding to wider changes affecting businesses and workers, including the transition to net zero, digitisation and automation. 

Find out more

Contact our team today to start shaping solutions targeted to your region’s skills needs.

Educator Leads Programming Lesson For Adult Students
Connecting skills with the needs of local employers
A stronger connection between education, training and employers can help ensure learners develop the skills businesses need. For West Yorkshire, this means strengthening technical and transferable skills, improving employer engagement and ensuring provision responds to the requirements of priority sectors.
Engineers Inspect Gas And Water Pipes
Preparing people for changing career opportunities
The region needs people to have the skills and confidence to navigate an evolving labour market. Clear routes into technical education, employment and further learning can help residents build sustainable careers while giving employers access to the talent they need.
Students Working On Engineering School Project
Building a workforce ready for change
Technological, economic and environmental changes are creating new requirements for employers and workers. By supporting lifelong learning and developing adaptable skills we can help individuals respond to changing roles and industries and help businesses remain productive and competitive.
People On Work Site
Opening up routes into good work
Improving access to learning is central to West Yorkshire's approach to inclusive growth. Reducing barriers, widening participation and creating clearer progression routes can help more residents develop their skills, move into employment and progress once they are in work. The region's Adult Skills Plan places particular emphasis on access, progression and connecting learning with sustained employment and career pathways.
What are the main priorities for West Yorkshire? 
West Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan 

The West Yorkshire LSIP identifies priority sectors where developing technical skills can support growth, transformation and increased productivity. 

These include: 

  • Health and Social Care  
  • Digital and Technology 
  • Education and Training 
  • Cross Cutting Themes (Digital Skills, Business & Enterprise Skills, Communication Skills) 

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How can NCFE support West Yorkshire? 

NCFE offers a broad portfolio of qualifications that can help providers respond to West Yorkshire's skills priorities and support learners at different stages of their development. 

Our offer spans essential skills, digital capability, sector-specific qualifications and flexible provision that can support progression into employment and further learning. 

Sector Qualifications
Health and Social Care View our suite of Health and Social Care qualifications
Digital and Technology View our suite of Digital qualifications
Education and Training View our suite of Education and Training qualifications

General Skills (level 1) are mapped to units from Level 1 Employability Skills and Level 1 Occupational Studies. Access all our preparation for work and employability qualifications. 

 

  NCFE Employability skills NCFE Occupational Studies
Communication and customer service
  • Understanding your customers
  • Business and customer awareness
  • Using social media in the workplace
  • Using online collaborative workplace tools
  • Using telephones in the workplace
  • IT communication fundamentals
  • Understanding business communication
  • Developing customer service skills
Project management and teamwork
  • Taking part in a project
  • Working in a team
  • Working with colleagues
  • Understanding conflict at work
  • Meetings in the workplace
  • Undertaking an enterprise project
Self-management, time management, and organisational skills
  • Setting yourself targets
  • Managing your time
  • Time management skills
Confidence, creativity, adaptability, and resilience
  • Understanding mindset
  • Understanding motivation
  • Developing assertiveness
  • Creative thinking
  • Coping with change
  • Improving own learning and performance
Critical thinking, planning and problem solving
  • Problem solving at work
  • Problem solving at work
Business skills and interview techniques
  • Job and training search skills
  • Job application skills
  • Interview skills
  • Writing a CV
  
Digital literacy
  • ICT for employment
  
Microsoft suite  
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Word processing software

General Skills Level 2 is mapped to units from Level 2 Employability Skills and Level 2 Occupational Studies. Find out more about our preparation for work and employability qualifications.

  NCFE Employability skills NCFE Occupational Studies
Communication and customer service
  • Understanding your customers
  • Business and customer awareness
  • Presenting information
  • Using online collaborative workplace tools
  • Social media in the workplace
  • Communication skills for business
  • Using email
Project management and teamwork
  • Managing a project
  • Working in a team
  • Dealing with conflict
  • Working with colleagues
  • Valuing and supporting others
  • Working in a team
Self-management, time management, and organisational skills
  • How to keep improving
  • Setting your targets
  • Managing your time
  
Confidence, creativity, adaptability, and resilience
  • Understanding mindset
  • Understanding motivation
  
Critical thinking, planning and problem solving
  • Problem solving in a place of work
  • Understanding innovation
  • Creative thinking
  • Understanding and coping with change
  • Problem solving in the workplace
Business skills and interview techniques
  • Job search skills
  • Job application skills
  • Interview skills
  
Digital literacy
  • ICT for employment
  • Improving productivity using IT
Microsoft suite  
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Presentation software
  • Word processing software

Digital capability is increasingly important across West Yorkshire's economy, from everyday workplace skills through to specialist technical expertise. 

Developing these skills can help people access employment, progress into higher-skilled roles and adapt as technology changes the way we work. 

NCFE offers digital qualifications across a range of levels, giving providers the flexibility to support learners from essential digital capability through to more advanced technical skills. 

Click here to view our suite of Digital Skills qualifications. 

Low carbon and green skills are critical to West Yorkshire’s transition to a net zero economy. An estimated 116,000 workers require upskilling and many jobs will be affected by the shift to greener industries. This means education providers play a vital role in equipping learners with the skills needed for future employment and sustainability. 

 

Qualification Skills
Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Climate Change and Environmental Awareness (603/5683/2)
  • Resource efficiency
  • Waste management
Level 3 Certificate in Championing Sustainability in the Workplace (610/0143/0)
  • Sustainability in workplace
  • Sustainable construction

NCFE offer a wide range of standalone units across multiple sector areas. They provide flexible opportunities to support employability, workforce development and personal progression. Discover standalone units. 

Sector Workplace skills Digital skills
Construction
  • Communication
  • Teamwork
  • Self-management
  • Adaptability
  • Basic digital skills
Green Energy and Net Zero
  • Adaptability
  • Collaboration
  • Communication
  • Self-management
  • Value-driven
  • Data literacy
  • Data analysis
  • Coding
Health and Social Care
  • Face-to-face communication
  • Telephone skills
  • Written skills
  • General IT skills
  • Excel skills
Business and Professional Services
  • Communication
  • Client management skills
  • Problem solving, fact finding and research skills
  • Ability to interpret information
  • Project management
  • Confidence
  • Creativity
  • Data analytics
  • Excel skills
  • Data protection
  • Cyber security
Culture, Creative, Tourism and Hospitality
  • Business skills
  • Customer service
  • Communication skills
  
Cross Cutting Themes
  • Communication
  • Critical thinking
  • Planning
  • Problem solving
  • Project management and planning
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Interview techniques
  • Job application skills
  • Teamwork
  • Time management
  • Organisational skills
  • Confidence and resilience
  • Basic IT skills
  • Microsoft suite
  • Social media skills
Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs)

Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) provide a flexible way for providers to respond to local recruitment and skills needs.

Programmes can be shaped around particular employers, sectors and occupations, combining industry knowledge, practical skills and preparation for the workplace. This can help learners build confidence and develop the capabilities they need to move towards employment.

NCFE qualifications can support SWAP delivery that reflects local labour market requirements and the priority areas identified through Local Skills Improvement Plans.

Find out more about our SWAPs offer.

 

Where is the information I need?  

Understanding regional priorities and keeping up with changes in the local labour market can help providers make informed decisions about their curriculum and delivery. 

Yorkshire Learning Providers brings together organisations delivering adult learning, apprenticeships, skills bootcamps and technical education. 

The network provides opportunities for providers to connect with peers, share good practice and stay informed about developments across the region through member meetings, guest speakers and workshops.