Committee to discuss skills and training with colleges, workers and apprentices
The Industry and Regulators Committee will continue its inquiry into skills for the future by hearing from representatives of colleges, training providers, workers and apprentices. In the first session, with representatives of colleges and training providers, the Committee will discuss whether the skills system will need to train more people to provide them with the skills needed for the future, and whether the skills system has the capacity to do this. The Committee will consider whether the Government has a clear strategy for ensuring future skills needs are met, how employers engage with education and training providers, and how to encourage an increase in apprenticeships.
In the second session, with apprentices and representatives of workers, the Committee will discuss the benefits of training for employees and apprentices and how easy it is for individuals to navigate the opportunities open to them. The Committee will examine whether apprenticeships should primarily be focused on younger people or used for broader training to upskill and reskill existing workers, and consider whether employers are taking sufficient responsibility for training the workforce.
Meeting details
Possible questions include:
- Do colleges and training providers have the ability to increase their training provision, and if not, what would they need to do so?
- Does the Government has a clear, long-term strategy for ensuring that the system is set up to provide the skills that employers will need for the future?
- Is it easy for individuals to understand what training and apprenticeship options there are, and do employers and training providers give clear information on this?
- Are employers taking sufficient responsibility for their role in training the workforce? How could they be encouraged to take a more proactive role in training their employees?