5.1
This section considers some of the most important national policy areas that also impact on our strategy.
5.2
The government has brought together a range of training and support services together under the Skills for Life⁶ banner offering good opportunities for progression for Community Learning and other adult learners.
For example:
- £560m National Multiply Programme targeted at adults without L2 Maths over 3 years,
- Free Courses for Jobs, enabling 11 million adults to gain an A Level for free,
- Skills Bootcamps, offering sector specific and fast-track learning,
- Numeracy, English, Digital Essential Skills and ESOL,
- and Higher technical qualifications, apprenticeships, traineeships, Skills Tool Kit, and Sector Work Academy Programme.
5.3
The Skills and Post 16 Education Act (2022) placing employers at the heart of the skills system, instigates the new Local Skills Improvement Plans, led by local Employer Representative Bodies.
5.4
New FE Funding & Accountability System, currently proposed and under consultation by the Department for Education (DfE), proposes a new Skills Fund, and new outcomes for Community Learning.
The proposals identified key sectors that DfE believe will play an important role in the growth of the UK economy and are subject to increasing government and industry focus.
These sectors include:
- construction,
- manufacturing,
- digital and technology,
- health and social care,
- and haulage and logistics.⁷
The Council will need to ensure that we are able to respond to the changes as they are implemented in 2023 and beyond.
⁵ Staffordshire Jobs & Careers (staffsjobscareers.com)
⁶ Unlock a better way ahead - Skills for Life
5.5
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) supporting the UK government’s wider commitment to level up all parts of the UK.
The vision is:
‘By 2030, the number of people successfully completing high-quality skills training will have significantly increased in every area of the UK’.
The Council will need to ensure we are harmonised with training offered by this fund.
