We have submitted our response to the Skills England Skills for Work request for views on occupational standards, drawing on insights from our member organisations.
We welcomed the opportunity to respond to this request for feedback. Ensuring that occupational standards accurately reflect current and future labour market needs is critical for employers. When occupational standards are well designed, they provide a strong foundation for the development of apprenticeships, qualifications and other training products that equip individuals with the skills needed to succeed in work. In turn, this helps employers build and sustain the skilled workforce they need to grow, innovate and contribute to economic growth.
Our response highlights that occupational standards must be developed through meaningful employer co-design, supported by the expertise of sector skills bodies that understand changing workforce needs and emerging skills demands.
The submission calls for a clear long-term vision for the skills system and cautions against reforms that prioritise reducing the number of occupational standards over meeting employer needs. It also stresses the importance of maintaining nationally recognised standards while enabling local flexibility in the delivery of skills provision.
Read our response here.
