00:00In Kent, working age adults make up just 61% of the total population.
00:05This relatively small percentage creates unique workforce challenges here.
00:10Challenges which mean converting NEETs to those not in education, employment and training
00:14becomes all the more important.
00:17Now this is the Kenton Medway Local Skills Improvement Plan 2026-2029.
00:22It's what these guys in the hall behind me are discussing at the moment.
00:25It's local leaders, employers and educators all coming together to see how they can make sure
00:31that the workforce of the future is secure.
00:33So today marks the launch of the new Local Skills Improvement Plan.
00:37This is a report that we've been working on for a number of years.
00:40It's in its third iteration and we're launching here today for the report that sort of forecasts
00:46and predicts the next three years, so up to 2029.
00:49And it's specifically looking at the lessons we've learnt following the research and consultations
00:54we've done with the business community in terms of understanding what it is that they need
00:58and the sort of challenges they think they're going to face in the next few years.
01:02And then how that then relates into an action plan for all of the education providers and
01:07those other stakeholders that are part of helping young people move into employment and developing
01:11a career path.
01:12The Kent Chamber of Commerce have talked to all these businesses and identified the skills
01:18that these businesses need now and importantly in the future.
01:21And so as colleges, providing education and training for over 25,000 people across the county,
01:29that's hugely important for us.
01:32So we take this blueprint, as it were, and then we're able to adapt our courses and programmes accordingly.
01:40The plan forms part of a framework aimed at boosting growth, inclusion and economic resilience.
01:45It mainly presents how skill gaps can be plugged, with industries like social care, construction
01:51and hospitality crying out for more well-trained staff.
01:55A project of this scale requires people of all different levels.
01:59And what young people don't often realise, a career in infrastructure, a career in construction,
02:04isn't just about being out on the road.
02:07There is so much more involved in an organisation of that nature.
02:11So it's about the careers that exist today and those coming up in the future,
02:16but the careers that they can be involved in, that's on their doorstep.
02:20This new roadmap takes us to 2029 and hopes to create more opportunities for young people
02:26or those out of work and help Kent realise its full economic potential.
02:32Chloe Brewster for KMTV in Lenham.
02:36You
