APPRENTICESHIPS
A. Coming from a Mayoral Strategic Authority, this is so important to me. Local skills solutions are vital. We work closely with Employer Representative Bodies and Mayoral Strategic Authorities to make sure there is local flexibility to respond to labour market challenges. As part of the Skills England board, we have stood up a place subgroup that focuses on how the skills and labour market system plays out in an area and how we can learn from local areas.
Working collaboratively with local stakeholders- also including colleges and training providers- to support provision that reflects the needs of local businesses and helps young people progress into permanent jobs with them, depends on strong, place-based planning and collaboration. A new round of Local Skills Improvement Plans, supported by Skills England and due for publication this summer, will help drive this work.
Q. TO WHAT EXTENT ARE EMPLOYERS BEING INVOLVED IN SHAPING SKILLS PROVISION, AND HOW IMPORTANT IS THEIR FEEDBACK IN ENSURING TRAINING ALIGNS WITH REAL BUSINESS NEED?
A. From providing insights on skills gaps, to supporting development and updates to occupational standards- employers are part of everything Skills England is involved in. Employer insight also shapes Local Skills Improvement Plans and our national skills assessments. So, feedback is not a one-off consultation, but an ongoing part of how we prioritise and sequence reform.
Q. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST FUTURE FACING SKILLS OPPORTUNITY OVER
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We work closely with Employer Representative
Bodies and Mayoral Strategic Authorities to make sure there is local flexibility to respond to labour market challenges.
THE NEXT FEW YEARS? HOW IS SKILLS ENGLAND KEEPING PACE WITH NEW AND FUTURE SKILLS NEEDS?
A. The government is on a mission to upskill 10 million UK workers. All adults in the UK are now eligible to take free courses benchmarked by Skills England, through a partnership with industry partners including Google, Microsoft and IBM.
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