Last July, Alison Morris, Director of Policy at Skills Federation, hosted a discussion on how the Government could make the apprenticeship system work better for learners and industry. With a number of government announcements proposing changes to the current system, Alison revisits the key issues with Skills Federation members Ann Watson, CEO of Enginuity and Justine Fosh, CEO of Cogent Skills, to see what’s changed – and what the future holds for apprenticeships.
In an exclusive article published in FE News, they discuss the key trends that employers are observing in the critical industries of engineering, manufacturing and science industries. They consider the potential impact of latest government changes to apprenticeships on their industries, and reflect on what the Government should prioritise next.
They also outline the important role of sector skills bodies in shaping future apprenticeship policy.
“Sector skills bodies are the eyes, ears and often the voice of the sector, particularly for SMEs,” says Ann Watson. “A productive and thriving engineering and manufacturing sector is as much our goal as it is government’s.
“The challenge around closing skills gaps is still here after decades of talking about it – a genuine partnership with government and sector skills bodies could finally shift the dial on this long-standing challenge.”
Justine Fosh adds: “The science and technology industry is vast and we have a unique overview of the skills requirements across the sector and can represent these as a coherent voice. Government collaboration with sector skills bodies would enhance efficiency and ensure that policies reflect industry needs.”
You can read the full article here
