| answer text |
<p>The government is committed to making the skills system more responsive to employer
skill needs both locally and nationally, and to equip young people and adults with
the skills they need to have productive and fulfilling careers. We are working with
employers in all sectors including those in the ‘green economy’ to jointly design
and deliver policies and programmes to do this.</p><p>We are investing in a network
of Institutes of Technology around the country – flagship training providers that
will help to drive regional growth in key areas like engineering, advanced manufacturing
and construction by meeting technical and higher technical skills needs.</p><p>We
recently published reforms that aim to make higher technical education a high-quality,
prestigious and popular choice. Through our reforms, we will introduce a national
approvals scheme to show which higher technical qualifications (including those addressing
needs in low carbon sectors) deliver the skills that employers want. We will also
raise the profile and understanding of higher technical education through a public
campaign and improved information, advice and guidance.</p><p>There are a number of
apprenticeships available in the green and energy sectors including Building Energy
Management Systems (BEMS) controls engineer, community energy specialist and dual-fuel
smart meter installer, and we are committed to ensuring people of all ages can benefit
from the high-quality training that an apprenticeship offers. To help support employers
to offer new apprenticeships, employers are now able to claim £2,000 for every new
apprentice they hire under the age of 25, and £1,500 for those 25 and over.</p><p>Alongside
these wider adult skills reforms, the government is providing £2.5 billion (£3 billion
when including Barnett funding for devolved administrations) starting this Parliament,
for a new National Skills Fund to help adults learn new skills and prepare for the
economy of the future.</p><p>As part of this, my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister,
recently announced the launch of the trial of digital bootcamps to support local regions
and employers to fill in-demand vacancies. We will expand these out to wider areas
of the economy and parts of the country next year.</p><p>My right hon. Friend, the
Prime Minister, also announced, as part of his Lifetime Skills Guarantee, that for
adults who do not currently have a level 3 qualification, the government will be fully
funding their first full level 3 through the National Skills Fund.</p><p>Currently,
adults who are between the ages of 19 – 23 are eligible for full funding for their
first full level 3. We are now extending eligibility for a first full level 3 so adults
who are above the age of 23 can also benefit from level 3 courses and qualifications
with high economic value and strong alignment with government priorities. We will
continue to work to ensure that the National Skills Fund aligns and supports important
cross-government priorities, including the UK's ambitious clean growth agenda.</p><p>We
are committed to consulting on aspects of the National Skills Fund. We are continuing
to review the ongoing implications of the COVID-19 outbreak and we are considering
the most appropriate time and approach we can take to launch the consultation, ensuring
we have meaningful discussions with employers, providers and users.</p><p>In the meantime,
we will engage closely with stakeholders as we continue to develop detailed plans
for the National Skills Fund, including considering what role the fund could play
in meeting more immediate needs in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.</p>
|
|
