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Are there skills shortages in the technology industry?

19 January 2018

The Economic Affairs Committee asks technology experts whether the recent reforms to technology sector apprenticeships will have a positive impact on skills shortages. The witnesses will also be asked about the role employers should have in promoting lifelong learning.

Witnesses

Tuesday 23 January in Committee Room 1, Palace of Westminster

At 3.35pm

  • Giles Derrington, Head of Policy for Exiting the European Union, techUK
  • Russ Shaw, Founder, Tech London Advocates and Global Tech Advocates
  • Matthew Houlihan, Director, Government and Corporate Affairs, Cisco UK and Ireland

 At 4.35pm

  • Seamus Nevin, Head of Policy Research, Institute of Directors
  • Anna Purchas, Head of People, KPMG

Likely questions

Questions the Committee are likely to ask the first panel are:

  • The 2015 CBI/Pearson skills survey found that 40 per cent of employers had reported a shortage of STEM graduates as being a key barrier in recruiting appropriate staff. Does the technology sector struggle to find people with the right skills?
  • Are apprenticeships the right form of training for the digital era?
  • The first Technical (T) levels in digital, construction, and education and childcare are expected to be taught from 2020 with the full programme introduced by 2022. What difference will the introduction of T levels make?

Questions the Committee are likely to ask the second panel are:

  • Around 50 per cent of British graduates are employed in non-graduate roles. Has the expansion of university education raised the qualification requirements for jobs that do not require graduate skills?
  • Will recent reforms to apprenticeships, including the apprenticeship levy and targets improve the system? Is there a danger that the existence of an apprenticeship target will incentivise lower-quality offerings?
  • Should businesses help provide careers advice in schools?

Further information

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