Private dinner at the House of Commons - 2 April
On Wednesday, 2 April our CEO, Denise Rossiter, hosted a dinner at the House of Commons with our members, local Essex MPs and Chambers staff - including LSIP Executive Director, Joanne Giles.
In attendance were Pam Cox MP for Colchester, David Burton-Sampson MP for Southend West & Leigh, and Marie Goldman MP for Chelmsford. The evening was full of great discussions and debates, which included the topics of Devolution, Lower Thames Crossing, London Stansted Airport, and all major infrastructure projects happening in our fabulous County.
Speaking after the dinner, Denise commented: “It is always a privilege to host a dinner in the House of Commons with our valued members. It’s an exciting time for the county with several promising projects in development. It is time to be at the forefront of these projects and Essex Chambers will ensure our members get that opportunity.”
USP Employer Connect: Creative & Financial and 
Professional Industries - 3 April
In April, the College invited industry pros in from the Creative and Business sector, for a tour of our exciting facilities and the chance to network. Conversations were flowing between staff, employers and students over breakfast.🥐
With insightful presentations from:
👉Linda Hammond Industry Placement Leader
👉Jordan Barzoukas, Curriculum Director, Creative Industries
👉Debbie Baker, Curriculum Director, Financial & Professional Services
👉Chris Murgatroyd, Vice Principal - Academic
As well as an insight into a T-Level Accounting placement by Gemma from Bookkeeping Solutions.
If you are interested in working with USP for a T-Level or Vocational placement, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Joanne Giles Champions LSIP Awareness at Harlow College CPD Event
Joanne Giles continues to play a key role in raising awareness of the 
Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) and the evolving labour market landscape across the region. As part of her ongoing engagement with education providers, Joanne recently attended a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) event at Harlow College.
During the session, she had the opportunity to present to the college’s middle and senior management teams, sharing valuable insights into the latest labour market intelligence and the implications for curriculum planning and workforce development.
Her presentation highlighted the importance of aligning educational provision with the needs of local employers and the wider economy—ensuring that colleges are well-equipped to respond to the fast-changing demands of the labour market.
Joanne’s work continues to strengthen the connection between LSIP priorities and the strategic direction of further education institutions across the region.
Find out more about Harlow College
West Essex Workforce Summit – NHS - 10 April
Thanks to Ian Tompkins Programme Director Levelling Up and Partnerships, 
West Essex Health & Care Partnership, Essex County Council and Harlow District Council for inviting Joanne Giles to speak at the West Essex Workforce Group Summit at the Harlow Civic Centre on Thursday 10 April.
Collaboration in Action: Local Authorities and NHS Unite to Tackle Workforce Challenges
A recent event brought together senior practitioners from across local authorities and the NHS for a powerful and collaborative discussion on the future of the workforce. The session focused on key themes including skills development, apprenticeships, inclusivity, and how organisations can better respond to the evolving needs of today’s workforce.
The gathering provided a valuable platform for sharing insights, identifying common challenges, and exploring innovative solutions to support a more inclusive and adaptable workforce. With rapid changes in the employment landscape, the conversation highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration in shaping a resilient and future-ready talent pipeline.
Participants left the event energised and committed to driving forward initiatives that not only meet current demands but also anticipate the needs of tomorrow.
Freeport East T level ‘online’ panel to support Schools - 25 April
Spotlight on T Level Delivery: Joanne Giles Joins Regional Roundtable Panel
Joanne Giles recently took part in a dynamic roundtable discussion focused on the delivery 
of T Levels across the East of England. The event brought together education providers and industry experts to explore how the regional skills network can better support the professional workforce delivering T Levels.
The session offered a valuable platform for sharing insights into the evolving needs of industry and the importance of upskilling staff to ensure high-quality T Level provision. Key themes included workforce development, employer engagement, and strategies for aligning education with real-world industry demands.
Joanne was joined on the external panel by Rachel Knight and Eric Oliver from City & Guilds, and Kelly Karen from the Strategic Development Network (SDN). Together, they led a rich and insightful discussion on how collaborative efforts can enhance the impact of T Levels across the sector.
The conversation underscored the importance of strong employer partnerships in shaping relevant and effective T Level programmes—ensuring students are equipped with the skills and experience needed to thrive in the workforce.
To learn more about the work being done to support T Level delivery and professional development, please visit the East of England regional team - The Education and Training Foundation, City & Guilds and SDN websites.
Essex Residents Empowered at Inclusive Works Event - 14 May
On Wednesday, 14 May, the Inclusive Stakeholder Alliance hosted an impactful event at Chelmsford Central Library dedicated to supporting Essex residents in their journey towards employment. Organised by teams from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Essex County Council, including Essex Libraries and Preparing for Adulthood (PFA) Targeted Employment, the event showcased the strength of collaboration.
With the invaluable support of Essex Family Forum, the initiative brought together 28 exhibitors and featured two interactive workshops, creating a dynamic platform for job seekers to connect with resources, guidance, and opportunities. Early indications suggest that more than 400 people attended, demonstrating a strong community interest in employment support. Initial feedback from attendees, exhibitors, and organisers has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the value of collaborative efforts in providing meaningful opportunities.
To find out more information or to become part of the Inclusive Stakeholder Alliance, visit Essex LSIP - Inclusive Stakeholder Alliance
Network with Wivenhoe House Hotel - 21 May
Our LSIP Executive Director, Joanne Giles, spoke at our recent Essex Chambers networking event at the elegant Wivenhoe House Hotel.
Joanne enthusiastically explained the vital role the Essex Local Skills Improvement Plan has in steering and securing the skills provision in the region to an engaged room of local employers. She also gave an update on the next stages of the plan amid the significant changes in the county coming into play as a result of Devolution and local government reform.
Not only did attendees enjoy the stunning historical surroundings of the hotel, it was also a very apt venue as an example of a business working with education providers to address industry skills gaps. Wivenhoe House are working with the University of Essex on The Edge Hotel School, the first of its kind in the UK. Offering students a degree as well as practical experience in a real world environment.
Creative and Cultural Sector board meeting at USP College - 22 May
USP College is focussing on strengthening collaboration between education and industry to ensure course content remains relevant and future focused. By actively engaging with employers, the college gains valuable insights into current job market trends, skill demands, and technological advancements. This enables USP to adapt its curriculum to better prepare students for real-world careers.
A great example of this in action was the recent Creative and Cultural Sector board meeting—thank you to USP for the invite. It was inspiring to see employers directly contributing to the development of provision, helping shape a more dynamic and responsive educational experience.