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<p>The department has convened the UK Shipbuilding Skills Taskforce to explore the
industry’s skills needs and make recommendations for how to resolve shortages. The
Taskforce brings together a wealth of expertise. It is Chaired by the Hon. Captain
Dr Paul Little, and its membership includes individuals from defence, leisure, commercial
and workboat building, as well as trade unions, academics and educators.</p><p>The
Taskforce has been working at pace since it first met in July 2022 and is currently
drafting an independent report that will set out its recommendations. It plans to
publish this in autumn. My right hon. Friends, the Secretary of State for Education
and the Secretary of State for Defence, both met with the Taskforce in February to
launch National Apprenticeships Week and discuss progress in identifying these recommendations.
I also attended the Shipbuilding Inter-Ministerial Group meeting in April where I
shared progress that had been made by the Taskforce to prioritise the most impactful
recommendations.</p><p>One of the Taskforce’s recommendations is expected to call
on the department to establish a network of excellence for shipbuilding training providers.
The Taskforce has identified examples of best practice in shipbuilding skills provision,
such as South Devon College and City of Glasgow College. It is considering how to
encourage more providers to reach this standard.</p><p>To ensure its proposals are
supported by wider industry, the Taskforce is currently testing its recommendations
with stakeholders, including employers, industry bodies, and representatives of sectors
with similar skills requirements.</p><p>The Taskforce’s report will be independent,
and the department will collaborate across Whitehall and the devolved governments
to consider its recommendations and develop a response. We recognise the expertise
and world-leading practice that exists in institutions across the UK and are delighted
that the Taskforce has highlighted this.</p><p> </p>
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