In response to the Chancellor’s Comprehensive Spending Review, Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann OBE, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said:
“Today’s announcements from the Chancellor reaffirm the Government’s understanding that investing in skills is key to driving the country’s recovery. We welcome investment in the Lifetime Skills Guarantee and extensions to the Kickstart Scheme and apprenticeship incentive scheme to make sure as many people as possible can find a route to develop high quality skills in the short term.
“But to get the economy motoring again, as a driver for growth and creation of jobs and apprenticeships, the pace of implementation of plans for infrastructure development, the green industrial revolution and innovation will be vital to create employer demand in key sectors for high-quality skills.
“The upcoming FE White Paper in England and the UK industrial strategy refresh are therefore essential, but currently missing, jigsaw pieces for creating not just a skills-led recovery, but also putting in place sustainable foundations for the longer-term creation of a world-beating skills system.
“This is crucial to boost business productivity and competitiveness, which will help attract international investment to all parts of the UK, driving inclusive growth and offering the next generation the prospect of a rewarding future.
“WorldSkills UK stands ready to play its part to improve further the quality of technical education and apprenticeships by continuing to work with UK and international partners to mainstream excellence in skills, bringing global best practice back to the UK to help more young people and the economy to succeed.”
