#10: Investment In Sussex Skills Needs More Than Duct Tape And Goodwill

The Sussex And The City Podcast – Episode 10: Investment In Sussex Skills Needs More Than Duct Tape And Goodwill Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Dan Shelley – Chair, Sussex Local Skills Improvement Plan Board This episode is brought to you in partnership with: Let's Do Business Finance – A British Business Bank-accredited lender, providing tailored funding and expert advice to new and growing ventures across Sussex since 2004. 👉 letsdobusinessfinance.co.uk 🔍 Episode summary In this deep-dive episode, Richard speaks with Dan Shelley, one of the South East's leading thinkers on skills and regional development, about the real infrastructure behind economic inclusion: adult education, technical training, and making the skills system actually work for Sussex. Dan unpacks the role of the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) – a pan-Sussex strategy he helped shape – and why aligning education and economic strategy is vital. From digital bootcamps to hospitality apprenticeships, he highlights the collaborative groundwork already underway – and sets out what's needed next, especially if Sussex is to make the most of devolved powers. 🎯 Why this matters for devolution With a mayoral combined authority likely on the horizon, the episode explores how a reformed skills agenda could: Unlock economic mobility for adults across Sussex Link funding to real-world job opportunities in growth sectors Join up fragmented provision under a clear regional framework Build anchor partnerships between FE, HE and employers Empower a more inclusive and dynamic workforce "The skills system is a big, beautiful mess – but Sussex is ready to tidy it up."   Topics include: What the LSIP actually is – and why it's already working Sussex's seven priority sectors – and the real skills gaps they face How devolution could shift adult education budgets and accountability Lessons from Liverpool and the Netherlands on region-led innovation Why FE is both vital and undervalued – and what needs to change Microbusinesses, public value, and the myth of trickle-down skills   📚 Further reading and links Sussex Chamber of Commerce – LSIP Information Hub Department for Education – Local Skills Improvement Plans Institute for Government – How the mayor of Liverpool City Region is addressing local skills shortages 🎧 Production credits Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Dan Shelley Sound design / editing / original music: Chris Thorpe-Tracey Production management: Letitia McConalogue Recorded at: Projects: The Lanes, Brighton 📣 Get involved Want to help reimagine democracy, identity and regional change in Sussex? Join the conversation and find resources at sussexandthecity.info