New government skills body given strategic remit

08/08/2024 | DOMINIC BROWNE

Skills England has been launched in shadow form and will convene mayoral combined authorities and other key stakeholders to help identify regional and national training issues.

The education secretary Bridget Phillipson said the arm’s length body will have a wide remit to boost skills and training in line with the new Labour Government's wider industrial strategy.  

In a written statement to Parliament, she said: 'Skills England will help ensure we have the highly trained workforce needed to deliver the national, regional and local skills needs of the next decade, aligned with the Government’s forthcoming Industrial Strategy. This effort will be central to enabling delivery of the Government’s growth mission, filling skills gaps in key industries.'

Outlining its specific role, she noted it will convene employers, education and training providers, unions, experts, combined authorities and national government to:

  • Develop a single picture of national skills needs, working with industry, other government departments (OGDs), the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), unions and the Industrial Strategy Council to build and maintain a comprehensive assessment of current and future skills needs.
  • Identify the priority areas for skills training, including the training for which the new Growth and Skills Levy will be accessible – in doing so, it will ensure that businesses are able to use their skills funding more flexibly and effectively, for which so many have been calling.
  • Play a crucial role in ensuring that the national and regional skills systems are aligned in meeting skills needs, in constituencies the length and breadth of England.

The functions currently sitting with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) will transfer to Skills England, as part of the new organisation’s broader remit.

IfATE will continue in the interim as the transition of functions to Skills England is finalised.

A permanent board, chair and CEO for Skills England will be appointed 'in due course'.

In a letter to stakeholders, seen by Highways, Jennifer Coupland chief executive of IfATE said: 'Our expectation is that IfATE staff will transfer with their responsibilities to Skills England and that the relationships you have forged with my officials will continue.'

She added: 'Together we have created skills maps, apprenticeships and qualifications, described the knowledge, skills and behaviours a learner needs to succeed in skilled careers and ensured training is comprehensive and meets latest industry requirements.

'These will form the building blocks of the new system. I am confident that with your support, the establishment of Skills England will simplify the skills landscape, supply the skills we need to grow our economy, and break down barriers to opportunity.'

While in opposition the Labour Party vowed to replace the failing Apprenticeship Levy with the new ‘Growth and Skills’ Levy, allowing firms to use up to 50% of their contributions to fund training through routes other than apprenticeships.

A Highways investigation had previously revealed that two years into the apprenticeship levy, only around 13% of the funds have been claimed by contributors from the scheme as a whole.

A Freedom of Information request showed that by 2019 the Government had taken in £4.5bn from the controversial levy, which was introduced in April 2017, while only £601m has been paid out to employers for training purposes.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Light Vehicle Motor Mechanic / MOT Tester

Grade 8 £33,797 - £35,708 per annum, (inclusive of market supplement to be reviewed December 2026)
Starting salaries are negotiable based on experience and qualifications. Derby, Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Heavy Goods Vehicle Motor Mechanic

Grade 8 £33,797 - £35,708 per annum, (inclusive of market supplement to be reviewed December 2026)
We are looking for a highly motivated Heavy Goods Vehicle/ Light Goods Vehicle Mechanic to join our County Transport team Brimington, Chesterfield
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Street Services Operative

£24,404 per annum
You will need to have relevant knowledge and experience of carrying out commercial ground’s maintenance work Rotherham, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

Assistant Director of Place

Up to £97,302 - Inclusive of market factor supplement
Assistant Director of Place Rochdale, Greater Manchester
Recruiter: Rochdale BC

Senior Technician

£34,314 - £37,035 depending on qualifications and experience
An opportunity has arisen for a Senior Technician to join the Street Lighting, Signs and Amenities Team. Rotherham, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

Highways Maintenance Manager

£49,764 - £53,817 per annum
We are looking for a strong candidate to take up the role of Maintenance Manager Skipton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Commercial Director

Competitive salary + Bonus tbc + £5.4k car allowance
This role is an integral part of the Cormac executive team, Cornwall
Recruiter: Cormac

Head of Consultancy

Head of Consultancy - Competitive salary + £5.4k car allowance
This role is an integral part of the Cormac executive team, Cornwall
Recruiter: Cormac

Administrative Assistant (Part Time)

£9,715.00 - £9,869.01, Grade 4
This post will provide operational and administrative support to the Street Scene Officers and Supervisors Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Assistant Street Works and Permitting Officer

£26,409 - £29,093
Do you want to make a difference to how street works are managed within Lincolnshire? Louth.lincolnshire
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council

Workstream Project Lead - Team Barrow - WMF1935e

£55,119 to £57,362
Workstream Project Lead - Team Barrow - WMF1935e Barrow in Furness, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Civil Enforcement Officers

£25,183- £26,409
Are you a lover of the outdoors? Are you looking for a role that allows you to earn whilst been outdoors across the district of North Yorkshire? Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior Traffic Technician

Grade H SCP 26-30 / £36,124 - £39,513
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Technician to join our Highway Safety Team. Sefton (Metropolitan borough), Merseyside
Recruiter: Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council

Engineer, Highways Asset Maintenance CDC

Grade 9, £38,653 - £42,728
We are currently recruiting for an Engineer to work within an engineering team Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Assistant Engineer (Highways Developers Agreements) (CDC)

Grade 8, £32,662 - £36,239
The City of Doncaster Council is a confident, ambitious organisation which puts improving the life of its residents at the centre of everything we do. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Street Scene Operative (CDC)

Grade 5 - £24,397
To be part of a multi-skilled team who carry out cleansing duties throughout the borough in line with current Health and Safety legislation. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Fleet Workshop Mechanic - WMF1865e

£37,035 - £37,938
We are looking for qualified level 3 Vehicle Mechanic’s with a passion for vehicle maintenance Barrow in Furness, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highways Team Leader x 2 WMF1703e

£31,067 - £31,586
Are you a hard-working and experienced highways operative, looking for the next step in your career? Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Assistant Delivery Support Engineer

£27,711 - £30,060
The Highway Delivery Team is responsible for the delivery of a variety of maintenance and construction projects Rotherham, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

Highways Contract Engineer

£46731 - £49764
Join our journey, make a difference! Sheerness House, Kettering, United Kingdom
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW