The previous government gave apprenticeships a lot of attention, but following the Labour Party’s election win, the new government has further plans for them across England.

It has announced a plan to introduce a flexible growth and skills levy to replace the existing apprenticeship levy, but that is just the start.

The King’s Speech also included a new bill that will create a body called Skills England, with the stated aim of the body being to “transform opportunities and drive growth” by bringing together ‘key partners’ to find ways of meeting the country’s skill needs over the next decade. This will impact what apprenticeship training providers will offer.

In its announcement, the government said a “fractured skills landscape” needs to be brought together to create a coherent and effective strategy.

Among the organisations that will be brought together to shape the plan will be training providers alongside trade unions, mayors, universities and colleges, the new education secretary Bridget Phillipson stated.

She commented: “The skills system we inherited is fragmented and broken. Employers want to invest in their workers but for too long have been held back from accessing the training they need. ” 

Skills England will take over the role currently played by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, with the new body being put together over the next 9-12 months.

Describing the current skills system as “a mess”, prime minister Keir Starmer said reform would be an important part of the new government’s primary aim of increasing economic growth.

“From construction to IT, healthcare to engineering, our success as a country depends on delivering highly skilled workforces for the long-term”, he stated, adding that this could help keep immigration down by reducing reliance on imported skills.The plans have been welcomed by some employers.

Speaking to HR Magazine, Bukki Adedapo, the international expansion lead for the freelance services platform Fiverr, said: “Employers need to be consulted with any new bill that will directly impact workers so it was promising to hear that the development of Skills England will put employers at its heart.”