2. Biz Network April 2021 41-80.qxp_Chamberlink 26/03/2021 11:12 Page 68
SKILLS
What will the Skills for Jobs strategy mean for businesses? In the Skills for Jobs white paper published in January, the Government outlined its proposals to “move on from previous underestimations of further and technical education, and reinforce its pivotal role as a pathway to a bright future”. Corrina Hembury (pictured), managing director of Access Training, takes a look at what the strategy involves. he white paper puts businesses at the heart of defining local skills needs. To share their voice, of course, employers need a clear and effective channel of communication. It is, therefore, welcome news that the white paper explores a new role for chambers of commerce and other employer representatives.
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The white paper is split into five themes: 1. Employers at the heart of skills 2. Higher-level technical qualifications 3. Lifelong learning 4. Training providers 5. Excellent teaching As one of the East Midlands’ leading independent training providers, Access Training’s role will be pivotal in upskilling our region’s workforce over the coming years. We’ve picked out the key proposals from the strategy we think are of most interest to Chamber members:
DEFINING LOCAL SKILLS NEEDS By feeding into employer representatives like the Chamber, local employers can help shape a clear and effective roadmap on upskilling the region’s workforce, and improve productivity as a result. It presents the opportunity to highlight skills gaps affecting productivity not only tomorrow but today, such as in care and construction. 68
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Acting as the bridge between employers and further education providers, chambers can play a vital role in co-designing and codelivering curricula. Local skills improvement plans will be piloted in “trailblazer” areas in order to feed back to Government the most effective models of employer representation before wider rollout.
EMPLOYER-LED STANDARDS There will be a focus on ensuring skills provision meets skills need. The substantial majority of post-16 technical and higher technical education and training will be aligned to employer-led standards set by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.
MORE SUPPORT FOR APPRENTICESHIPS The Government’s recent reforms to apprenticeships are still seen as the “gold standard” vocational route. Apprenticeships will focus on three key areas. Firstly, more people will be supported to begin apprenticeships, helping employers to recover from the pandemic with the skilled employees they need to grow. Secondly, Government will continue to respond to feedback from employers to improve the programme, including by maximising use of apprenticeship funding, making it easier for larger, levypaying employers to transfer funds.
Apprenticeships received a further boost in the budget. The Chancellor announced a raised incentive for employers to recruit new apprentices of any age. This will be increased to £3,000 per apprentice over and above the £1,000 grant already in place for learners aged between 16 and 18.
INCREASED STATUS OF TRAINEESHIPS AS A PROGRESSION ROUTE Often under-valued, the quality of traineeships will be enhanced to better support young people to transition to apprenticeships and other occupations. It was announced in the budget that the £1,000 per trainee incentive to employers will be extended into next year.
HIGHER-LEVEL TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS Higher-level technical qualifications are recognised as a valuable alternative to a university degree, and are accordingly worthy of investment. The new £2.5bn National Skills Fund will enhance the funding to support adults to upskill and reskill. Backed by £95m in 2021-22, it will help all adults achieve their first full advanced (level 3) qualification as part of a new Lifetime Skills Guarantee.
The Government’s flagship Institutes of Technology programme and T Levels will be further expanded, preparing students for entry into skilled employment or higher levels of technical study, including apprenticeships. From April 2021, the digital bootcamps will be expanded and other in-demand technical skills, such as construction, introduced.
MORE CAREERS ADVICE SUPPORT For some time now, the careers landscape has been confusing, fragmented, and unclear. The National Careers Service website will become a single source of Government-assured careers information for young people and adults, with a particular focus on interactive careers maps. Schools will be expected to provide independent careers guidance, from year seven onwards. It’s encouraging that vocational training – and specifically, apprenticeships and traineeships – are recognised as playing such a pivotal role in the nation’s economic recovery. It’s now down to each of us as employers – and with the trusted support and lobbying of the Chamber – to help influence how and where skills funding is allocated in our region.
