The government has begun its overhaul of the skills system to unlock opportunity for young people across the country.
The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has pledged to deliver the skills our country needs through a new growth and skills levy, replacing the existing apprenticeship levy, as well as new foundation apprenticeships.
Labour will reform the skills system so there is new flexibility for employers, cutting through red tape to reduce the barriers getting in the way of getting apprenticeships into key jobs.
New foundation apprenticeships will also offer pre-apprenticeship training, giving young people a foot on the ladder and the chance to gain valuable work experience, learning as they go.
Skills England, the government’s new body to help identify skills needs, was launched in July. The IfATE bill, introduced in Parliament, marks the next step in Labour’s plans for Skills England to unlock opportunity, harness the talents of working people and grow the economy.
Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, said:
“The need to boost Britain’s skills runs is crucial to our mission-driven government – we need skills to drive growth, we need skills to build homes, we need skills to deliver energy security.
“These reforms signal our intent to overhaul the skills system, led by the work of Skills England to find and fill gaps across the country.
“Labour will harness the talents of young people to drive growth and unlock opportunity.”
Amanda Martin, MP for Portsmouth North, said:
“Portsmouth is brimming with opportunity, we just need a government and a skills system that can tap into it.
“That’s why I’m so pleased about the reform being driven by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, unlocking the pride and ambition of young people in our area.
“I’m backing the Labour government every step of the way in its mission to break down barriers to opportunity.”
