29 July 2010
Keeping up with the Coalition – latest skills policy
developments
Summary
Even for a new government, the Coalition has been incredibly
busy. Since they came to power, they have issued six major
consultations which include skills. The Coalition appears
firmly focused on a number of policies which were put forward
during the election: simplification of the landscape (including a
move away from regional bodies and a preference for a sector-led
approach); support for apprenticeships especially at Level 3;
increasing freedom for training providers; and increasing private
investment (both from companies and individuals) in training.
For more information on all the policy areas we are currently
looking at, go to the Policy page on Semta’s website here. You’ll find information on
consultations, Select Committee hearings, policy briefings and key
documents. We have also produced a one page summary of the
important documents, consultations and announcements – download it
here.
Some key consultations for your consideration include Skills for Sustainable Growth (which
includes questions on how to increase private investment, direct
public skills investment effectively, and improve support for
companies and individuals to make the system ‘demand led’ in a
simpler, more responsive system); and the new Regional Growth Fund (looking at how the
RGF might be introduced and managed, in advance of the White Paper
being published later in the Summer). The Business,
Innovation and Skills Commons Select Committee is also holding
inquiries into the new Local
Enterprise Partnerships, and the effectiveness of Government assistance to industry.
Semta View
A new government always brings new ideas and perspective, and
the current Coalition is pushing ahead with many of its proposals
at speed. The consultations and inquiries are a great
opportunity for employers to help shape how these policies are
implemented. We hope that you will consider a contribution,
whether it be directly or through Semta. We welcome the views
of employers across our sectors, and will be responding to many of
these papers with the ‘employer view’. If you would like to
contact us, please send your comments to policy@semta.org.uk where they
will be collated and incorporated into our representation.
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