A focus on skills at the General Election can unlock economic growth
Following the announcement that a General Election is to take place on Thursday 4 July, the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) has called on the next UK Government to treat skills as a national priority in order to unlock economic growth.
Ben Rowland, AELP Chief Executive, said:
“July’s General Election is a chance to shape the future of skills provision. The next government has a golden opportunity to reverse flatlining productivity and tepid economic growth by investing in skills. Allowing learners to develop the skills employers need must be a national priority.
That needs our future parliamentarians to understand much more about the role training providers – especially independent training providers (ITPs) – play in delivering skills, and to ensure they have the resources they need to deliver the wide range of high-quality programmes employers demand."
To do this AELP is calling on the next government to commit to:
- A national strategy for a national skills system that supports economic growth in every region of the country.
- An apprenticeship system that delivers for businesses of all sizes by supporting learners of all ages and at all levels.
- More vocational and technical learning opportunities for young people to help home grown talent to fill job vacancies in key sectors.
- A lifelong learning guarantee to enable people to gain new skills throughout their working life.
- A root and branch review of how English and maths is delivered and assessed throughout the education system.
- A skills system that prioritises learners and employers, not the institution they study at.
AELP will be promoting this message throughout the next six weeks and beyond, and calls on all its members to get in contact with local election candidates to invite them in to see first-hand the brilliant work providers do on a daily basis.
The Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) is a national membership body, proudly representing organisations operating in the skills sector. AELP members deliver a range of training and vocational learning – including the majority of apprenticeships as well as Skills Bootcamps, 16-19 Study Programme, Adult Education Budget and more.
For further information or interviews please contact Matt Strong, Communications Manager, AELP, on 07920 161685 or [email protected].
AELP launch General Election Guide and Toolkit
AELP members can request a copy of the election toolkit and guide by emailing Ciaran Roche, AELP Public Affairs Manager, [email protected]
