Input is invited to a Lords Select Committee inquiry into skills policy, focusing on apprenticeships and training to meet the future needs of the UK economy.
Inquiry purpose
Said Baroness Taylor of Bolton, Chair of the Industry and Regulators Committee: “Our inquiry aims to shine a light on the UK’s current skills system, particularly apprenticeships and in-work training, and determine if it is fit for purpose to meet the fast-evolving needs of UK industry. We encourage anyone with experience or expertise in this area to share their views with us.”
Eleven questions consider topics such as future skills needs, changes required to current policies, apprenticeship levy reform and employer incentives to train.**How to provide input **
The deadline for contributions is 30 May 2024 (more information here).techUK and TechSkills are also putting in a collective input for the sector and would love to include your views within that. Please send any input – on all or any of the questions – to info@techskills.org by 13 May, and let us know whether you would like comments to be attributed to you or not.**Inquiry questions **
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What kinds of skills do you think will be needed for the future of the UK economy? Is the UK’s skills and training system capable of equipping increasing numbers of people with these skills?
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Is it clear to everyone involved in the skills system what the respective roles of the Government, employers, individuals and institutions are within that system?
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What is the appropriate level of government intervention in the development of skills policies? How can government best add value in this area?
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Are current Government policies on skills, particularly apprenticeships and training, sufficiently clear? Have policies and the institutional set-up been sufficiently consistent over time? If not, what changes or reforms would you recommend?
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Are the right institutions in place to ensure an effective skills system for the future? Should co-ordinating institutions be national, regional or sectoral, or a mixture of each?
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Concerns have been raised over the operation of the Apprenticeship Levy, particularly in relation to the decline in young people taking on apprenticeships. Is there a case for reforming the levy, for example by ring-fencing more levy funding for training for younger apprentices?
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What should the role of business be in encouraging the development of skills in the UK? Should business be a consumer, funder, trainer or co-designer of skills provision?
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In a more mobile, flexible labour market, what incentives do employers have to provide training for their employees? Why do you think that employer investment in training has declined in recent decades?
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Should further incentives be put in place to reverse the decline in employer investment in training, and if so, what form should these incentives take?
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What incentives do individuals have to involve themselves in apprenticeships and training? Is the system available and attractive enough to encourage individuals to seek training, and if not, what can be done to improve this?
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How does the UK’s approach to skills and training compare to those of other countries? Are there examples of good practice that the UK should be learning from?