Regional Skills Coordination Function (RSCF)

Supporting skills, jobs and workforce development across Suffolk and the East of England.

What the RSCF does

The Regional Skills Coordination Function (RSCF) brings together employers, training providers, and partners to ensure Suffolk has the skilled workforce needed for major infrastructure projects such as Sizewell C, as well as wider regional growth.

Led by Suffolk County Council in partnership with East Suffolk Council and Sizewell C Ltd, the RSCF provides a coordinated approach to workforce planning, skills development, and investment with the aim of helping local people and businesses benefit from long-term economic opportunities.

The RSCF plays a central role in connecting the skills system across the region. The RSCF:

  • Coordinates skills provision across Suffolk and the East of England
  • Aligns employers, training providers, and stakeholders to workforce needs
  • Supports workforce planning for major infrastructure and economic development projects
  • Helps secure, align, and maximise funding for skills and training
  • Ensures training provision meets real employer demand
  • Supports local people into training, employment, and career pathways
  • Provides insight and evidence to inform regional and national skills policy.

Current priorities 

The RSCF focuses on delivering practical outcomes through a set of key priorities:

  • Skills funding and investment: targeting funding where it has the greatest impact.
  • Apprenticeships: expanding opportunities in key sectors and trades.
  • Employment outreach: supporting people into work, including underrepresented groups.
  • Education and inspiration: engaging young people and strengthening future pipelines.
  • Evidence-led skills planning: using data and insight to identify and respond to skills needs.

Key documents and resources

Annual Skills Implementation Plan (ASIP) 2025–2026

The ASIP sets out the annual delivery plan for skills and workforce development linked to Sizewell C and wider regional priorities.

Employment, Skills and Education Working Group (ESEWG) minutes and papers

Read the latest ESEWG minutes and papers on the East Suffolk website.

Sizewell C Construction Workforce Delivery Strategy (CWDS)

Provides the overarching strategy for developing the workforce needed for Sizewell C, including workforce forecasts, skills priorities, and long-term legacy ambitions.

Read stage one of the Sizewell C construction workforce delivery strategy.

Sizewell C Early Workforce Information (EWI) briefing note (2025–2028)

Sets out forward-looking projections of workforce demand and job roles for Sizewell C construction, supporting skills planning and training provision across the region.

Read the Sizewell C early workforce information briefing note.

ASEC (Asset Skills Enhancement Capability) fund

Supports investment in training facilities, equipment, and curriculum development to meet regional and project workforce needs.

Read about the Asset Skills Enhancement and Capability (ASEC) fund.

Sizewell C bursary scheme

Provides financial support to individuals to access training and remove barriers to participation. 

Read about the Sizewell C bursary scheme.

Employment Outreach Fund

Supports programmes that help people access jobs, training, and skills support, particularly those facing barriers to employment.

Working with the RSCF

The RSCF works collaboratively with organisations across the region. You can engage in a number of ways.

Employers

  • Share workforce needs and future skills requirements with us
  • Access support to connect with training providers.

Training providers

  • Collaborate on curriculum development aligned to employer demand
  • Access insight, partnerships, and potential funding opportunities.

Stakeholders and partners

  • Contribute to regional skills planning and coordination
  • Align programmes with wider infrastructure and economic priorities.

Governance

The RSCF is overseen by the Employment, Skills and Education Working Group (ESEWG), which provides strategic direction and oversight.

ESEWG brings together:

  • Suffolk County Council
  • East Suffolk Council
  • Sizewell C

This partnership ensures alignment between local priorities, infrastructure delivery, and skills investment. Read more about governance groups on the East Suffolk Council website.

Contact and further information

For more information or to get involved, contact the RSCF team at natalie.freislich-mills@suffolk.gov.uk