NEWS IN NUMBERS
15% Percentage by which building costs will increase over the next five years. Source: Building Cost Information Service
Assessing the impact of Skills England
apprenticeship levy to be redirected into other forms of training don’t result in a fall in the number of construction apprenticeships available.” Berry said the amalgamation of the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education into Skills England must ensure the focus remains on maintaining current skill levels, and increasing numbers further. “It raises a question about what role the CITB will play in this new system,” Berry said. We’re still awaiting publication of the Mark Framer performance review of CITB, which may provide clarity. The Secretary of State for Education should publish the report as soon as possible to ensure the industry has stability on its future training needs.” Next steps for Skills England ● Set up the organisation in shadow form within the Department for Education, and assess future skills needs while building relationships with employers, and appointing a permanent board, Chair and CEO. ● Transfer IfATE’s functions to Skills England, with IfATE continuing its work while the transition is finalised. ● Maintain a list of levy-eligible training to ensure value for money, and that government-funded training aligns with the skills needs. ● Bring forward a comprehensive strategy for post-16 education.
The new government has created a new public body, Skills England, to unite key partners to meet the skills needs of the next decade across all regions. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the skills system “a mess”, stressing the need for a fresh approach. The new body, Starmer said, will help the government to stimulate the economy by connecting young people with employment opportunities. The Skills England Bill will transfer functions from the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education (IfATE) to Skills England. The FMB’s Chief Executive, Brian Berry, said the aims of Skills England sounded promising but he wanted to know what its existence would mean for the future of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). “The new government has set out ambitious plans to get Britain building again, but this can only be achieved if the skills crisis is tackled,” Berry said. “There is a serious shortage of all trades in the construction industry, with the result that we need an additional 240,000 workers over the next four years. “The Prime Minister’s announcement to set up Skills England recognises the seriousness of the problem, but details about how Skills England will operate remain light. It will be vital that future delivery focuses on a long-term skills plan being put in place, and that plans to allow up to 50 per cent of the
1% How much of the current green belt would be needed to build 738,000 homes. Source: Lettings and rental agent, Lamond
3m The UK needs to install
three million heat pumps in people’s homes over the next five years to meet 2030 net zero targets. Source: Climate Change Committee
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