South West to benefit from radical skills reforms
The South West is set to benefit from radical skills reforms aimed at boosting economic growth and creating opportunities for young people.
The government has confirmed up to £25 million for Skills Bootcamps in the region, as part of a national effort to reduce reliance on migrant labour.
This comes alongside new data showing that 1,120 more apprentices will qualify in the South West each year, thanks to changes in English and maths requirements for adult apprentices.
Read more: Building 700 homes at old golf course 'best option' for the area
The reforms are part of a wider initiative to create 120,000 new training opportunities across England, focusing on areas such as construction and healthcare.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: "A skilled workforce is the key to steering the economy forward, and today we're backing the next generation by giving young people more opportunities to learn a trade, earn a wage and achieve and thrive."
The government is also set to implement a 32 per cent increase in the Immigration Skills Charge, which will deliver up to 45,000 additional training places to upskill the domestic workforce.
Milton Walcott, HSEQ Manager at Complete Fixing Solutions Ltd, said: "I am excited to see the government's focus on expanding apprenticeships and skills training for young people.
"The emphasis on getting more 16-18-year-olds into work-based learning is particularly important."
The reforms come in response to a significant drop in the number of apprenticeship starts over the last decade, and recent statistics showing that one in eight 16-24 year olds are not in employment, education, or training.
Sarah Yong, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Youth Futures Foundation, said: "With stubbornly high youth unemployment and inactivity, rebalancing the apprenticeship system can encourage investment in youth apprenticeships and is a first step in enabling more young people to access good work."
Read more: Wedding venue can continue to host events after planning appeal
The government is also investing in teacher recruitment in further education, with around 6,000 teachers receiving Targeted Retention Incentive payments last year.
This is part of a push to recruit 6,500 new teachers in schools and colleges across England.
The reforms are a vital step in delivering the government's Plan for Change, which aims to address skills shortages and create better opportunities for young people and adults across England.
Stephen Wilde, Managing Director at Southbourne Rubber Ltd, said: "This is a bold and vital step forward in building real opportunities for young people and adults to build skills that matter in industries that shape our future."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Liverpool Target Former Allies and Fan Favourite for Assistant Role
Liverpool Begin Search to Replace Departing Heitinga After Ajax Move Coaching Carousel Continues at Anfield Liverpool are preparing for another backroom reshuffle after confirming that assistant coach John Heitinga is set to leave the club and take over as Ajax's new head coach, suggest reports from The Echo. Heitinga, who joined Arne Slot's coaching team just last summer, quickly established himself as a key figure as Liverpool stormed to a record-equalling 20th league title. Advertisement Ajax moved quickly following Francesco Farioli's resignation, which came in the wake of a catastrophic collapse that saw his team squander a nine-point lead in the final five Eredivisie games, gifting the title to PSV Eindhoven. For Heitinga, this marks a return to familiar territory. Having begun his playing and managerial career in Amsterdam, he now steps into a high-pressure role with expectations already mounting. Photo: IMAGO Slot Backs His Departing Lieutenant Speaking on the links last week, Slot said: 'If Ajax would be smart, they would consider him. He is ready to take on a job like that. If John is smart, he would stay one more season.' Advertisement That reluctant praise reflected both admiration and a desire to keep a trusted ally close. However, Slot will now be forced to act swiftly with pre-season on the horizon and Liverpool keen to maintain continuity in their tactical evolution. Candidates in the Frame Marino Pusic, a long-time associate of Slot from his AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord days, is a leading candidate. Fresh from a domestic double and Ukrainian Cup success with Shakhtar Donetsk, Pusic ticks the boxes for both familiarity and pedigree. Etienne Reijnen, who was blocked by work permit issues last summer, could be reconsidered. Another name linked is former fan-favourite Dirk Kuyt, who is expected to leave Beerschot following their relegation from the Belgian Juliper Pro League. Strategic Importance of This Appointment Liverpool's choice of Heitinga's replacement will be critical, not just for preserving last season's momentum but for embedding Slot's identity into the long-term structure at Anfield. With an early July pre-season start looming, the club must act decisively. Our View – Anfield Index Analysis From a Liverpool fan's perspective, the departure of John Heitinga feels more like a commendable graduation than a setback. He was a quiet but effective presence under Slot, and his move to Ajax shows the calibre of staff the Reds are attracting. Advertisement 'If we're producing coaches who are getting headhunted by Ajax, we must be doing something right,' one fan remarked in the Kop bar after the news broke. The potential candidates bring intrigue. Pusic's recent silverware in Ukraine is not to be ignored. If he can adapt quickly, the Slot-Pusic reunion could be seamless. Reijnen, despite his previous permit issues, also remains an attractive proposition for continuity. And then there's Dirk Kuyt. A cult hero at Anfield, but is sentiment clouding judgement? His track record as a coach isn't glittering, and stepping into such a tactical role might be a big leap. That said, his passion, understanding of the club, and bond with fans can't be measured by trophies alone. One thing is clear – this summer's assistant appointment matters. If Slot is to build a dynasty, choosing the right right-hand man is just as vital as selecting the starting XI.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Developer must pay to improve roads in village
A housing developer has been told to pay towards the cost of improving roads and other facilities in a village where permission has been granted for 288 new homes. There were 67 objections to the Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes scheme on land next to Wade House Road in Shelf, near Halifax, before it was approved by Calderdale Council. Concerns raised included increased congestion, pollution, flooding and the impact on school capacity. Councillors voted for the development to go ahead on condition that the builders made a £700,000 contribution to mitigate its effects on local infrastructure. Council planners had already recommended that the proposal for the site was acceptable. A mix of housing is proposed from one-bedroom to five-bedroom homes, with 60 properties classed as affordable. They would include 22 one-bedroom bungalows managed by social housing group Together Housing. The affordable homes, as well as a number of other measures, will be secured by a legal agreement the developer must sign with the council before the scheme can move forward. The developers will pay towards improvements for the Stone Chair roundabout, upgrades for a footpath between the site and Shelf Village Hall to become a bridleway, and new open space. Funds will also go towards a Travel Plan to encourage sustainable transport. The applicants' representative, Paul Butler, said more than 700 households had been consulted during the planning process. "It is a high-quality development which includes large areas of open space," he said. Objector Catherine Spivey said she was most concerned about loss of green spaces and places to walk around – these were limited already without extra people and less space, she told councillors. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, she said she hoped measures including improvements at Shelf Hall Park would be made in consultation with community groups. Green councillor Martin Hay said residents wanted a development to benefit the whole community and the scheme did not offer that. Residents' concerns included adequate sewerage, flooding alleviation, noise issues during construction and pressure on services. As it was, "the GP practice is not half sufficient for the community" and more numbers would come from the new homes, he said. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Calderdale Council
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Restaurants remove ‘king of fish' from menus as prices soar
Chefs are being forced to take the so-called king of fish off their menus, as the soaring price of seafood makes it virtually impossible to turn a profit. Treasured for its succulent flesh and superior flavour, turbot has long been considered among the finest fishes on restaurant menus. Yet it is becoming a rare option for diners following steep increases in the cost of fish and seafood. Tommy Banks, chef patron of Michelin-starred restaurants The Black Swan and Roots, both in Yorkshire, said: 'It's the king of the sea, a beautiful fish. Pre-pandemic, I paid £18 per kilo. Now it can be as much as £65. 'You can't afford to put it on the menu. And if you do… the amount you'd have to charge for it. There's just no value whatsoever. There really isn't cheap or cheaper fish any more. But turbot in particular is just outrageous, and you can't afford to use it.' Mr Banks recently hosted a tasting night at his restaurant Roots where one of the dishes included turbot. However, he said: 'I was giving a 60g sliver, literally a sliver [to diners]. We were like 'Well, we need to make turbot the smallest [dish] because it's so expensive'. It was costing £9 for 60g of fillet.' Adrian Nunn, director of The Upper Scale, which sells fish to consumers and restaurants in London, said many restaurants had stopped ordering turbot altogether, and were using more affordable alternatives – like Dover sole. He said: 'I don't think I've got one restaurant using turbot. They used to and they've stopped, they can't afford to.' Seafood prices have soared across in recent years, with produce such as langoustines also becoming unsustainable to serve in restaurants. Mr Banks said: 'Some of these really luxury ingredients – like turbot, langoustine, lobster, caviar and truffle – you'll only really find in Mayfair now.' However, Mr Nunn added: 'It's not just the prime fish, It's all fish, whether it's frozen or whether it's sardines, mackerel, whether it's turbot, Dover soles, it's all gone up.' Traditional fish suppers have been hit too. According to the Office for National Statistics, the price of a kilogram of white fish fillets has risen by more than 28pc in the three years to January 2025 to hit £20.59. Inflation in fish and seafood has been blamed on steep rises in the cost of labour, shipping and energy – keeping fish chilled or frozen is particularly energy intensive – and the reduction of fishing quotas by international governments. Laky Zervudachi at fish wholesaler Direct Seafoods, added: 'This year we have seen increasing inflationary pressure on virtually all species of seafood, whether it be simple staples like cod and haddock, to the more exclusive species like scallops and lobsters. 'As always, there are many factors that combine to create these increases, not least are a number of precautionary measures that have been taken by international bodies to help preserve fishing stocks around the world.' Adding to pressure is increased demand for fish from Spanish and French buyers, which has driven up the price for British firms, Mr Nunn said. He said: 'We buy in North of England, because there's not so many Spanish and French buyers up there. They'll just outbid us. We'd love to buy turbot at £10 per kilo, but they'll pay £20, £25, £30 so that's it.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
