A new body will tackle the ‘fractured’ skills landscape across England, the Prime Minister and education secretary have announced.
Skills England will provide strategic oversight of the post-16 skills system, bringing together central and local government, businesses, training providers and unions, the Government said.
It said developing skilled workforces, particularly in construction and healthcare, was fundamental to its economic growth mission, and would reduce reliance on overseas workers.
The Skills England Bill, announced in the King’s Speech, will transfer functions from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education to Skills England.
The new organisation will be established over the next nine to 12 months.
Its interim chair will be Richard Pennycook, lead non-executive director at the Department for Education and former chief executive of the Co-operative Group.
Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said: ‘Skills England will jumpstart young people’s careers and galvanise local economies.
‘It will bring businesses together with trade unions, mayors, universities, colleges and training providers to give us a complete picture of skills gaps nationwide, boost growth in all corners of the country and give people the opportunity to get on in life.’
