4 days ago
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.
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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."
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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."
