The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced the establishment of a new organization to address the deficiencies in Britain’s skills training system. The new body, known as “Skills England,” aims to enhance the training of British workers and reduce the reliance on overseas labor. Sir Keir emphasized that he will not take the easy route of importing skills and instead focus on empowering UK workers.
In his speech at the Farnborough International Airshow, Sir Keir expressed his commitment to revamping the training opportunities for young people in the country. He acknowledged the historical significance of migration to the UK but highlighted the need for a more coherent skills system to prevent people from being left out of the workforce due to a lack of training.
Skills England will collaborate with various stakeholders including central and local governments, businesses, trade unions, and training providers to address the skills gap in the UK. The organization will work closely with the Migration Advisory Committee to reduce the dependence on foreign workers by enhancing domestic skills.
Former Co-Operative Group CEO, Richard Pennycook, has been appointed as the interim chairman of Skills England. The organization will be established in phases over the next year, starting with an assessment of future skills requirements. Eventually, Skills England will take over the responsibilities of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.
According to the Department for Education, there has been a significant increase in skills shortages in recent years, accounting for 36% of job vacancies. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson hailed Skills England as a catalyst for boosting young people’s careers and driving economic growth across the country.
While the Conservative Party expressed cautious optimism about Labour’s plans, they raised concerns about the potential impact on apprenticeships. They emphasized the government’s success in creating millions of apprenticeships since 2010 and improving education standards in the country.
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