Enterprise Zone Skills Review Assessment
Key Findings
· Strong demand for advanced technical, digital, and STEM skills across all Enterprise Zones
· Recruitment challenges for specialist and mid-career roles
· Gaps in technician-level (Level 3–5) workforce pathways
· Increasing need for cross-disciplinary and AI/data capabilities
· Opportunity to improve coordination across the skills system and employers
The Enterprise Zone Skills Review Assessment provides an evidence-based overview of current and future workforce skills needs across the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Zones. These sites represent nationally significant clusters in advanced manufacturing, life sciences, space technologies, digital innovation, and low carbon sectors.
This assessment has been developed to:
· Understand workforce skills, employment patterns, and recruitment challenges
· Identify current and future skills needs linked to sector growth and innovation
· Highlight gaps in provision and barriers to workforce development
· Inform collaboration between employers, education providers, and partners
The report draws on employer engagement, workshops, interviews, vacancy analysis, and desk research to build a comprehensive picture of skills demand across the Enterprise Zones.
The assessment identifies strong and growing demand for:
· Advanced engineering and technical expertise
· Digital, data and artificial intelligence skills
· Specialist scientific and research capability
· Skilled technicians and applied technical roles
· Leadership and management development
It also highlights the importance of strengthening progression pathways, improving access to training, and supporting workforce development to enable long-term economic growth.
Read the full report: Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Zone Skills Review Assessment