Skills and Post-16 Education Bill

In April, The Skills and post-16 Education Act 2022 was confirmed in parliament as one of the final pieces of legislation to get over the line underpinning the government’s skills and training revolution.

The Skills and post-16 Education Bill was initially introduced in May 2021 but had a rocky journey to reach this point. The new legislation promises to ensure that everyone can gain the skills needed to progress into a rewarding job. It also means that businesses can access a pipeline of talented and qualified employees to bolster their workforce.

It is no secret that the UK has been facing a skills crisis for some time and the pandemic heightened the struggles. The growing skills demand has expectedly increased pressure on the current workforce.

There are several measures introduced by the Act, the most interesting is the prioritisation of local needs and local people. Under this measure, there will be a legal requirement on colleges and other providers to work with employers to develop skills plans to ensure the training available meets the needs of local areas, and people no longer have to leave their hometowns to find good jobs.

Over the last several years, at Complete Skills Solutions (CSS), we have worked closely with the Liverpool City Region (LCR) and local employers to plug skills gaps. Under the LCR Adult Education Budget (AEB), we provide LCR residents with valuable opportunities to support them to secure employment.

Our partnerships and collaborations span several industries, from Health and Social Care to Construction to Hospitality. These partnerships are a vital element of our service offering and bridge the gap between industry needs and the training individuals receive.

Our mission has always been to support individuals in the communities we serve, and I am delighted that the government is now implementing these measures to ensure local people and their futures are prioritised. I believe that the new interventions will go a long way in ensuring communities flourish.