THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT!

We need a policy framework that fosters a flexible and dynamic approach to skills and which enables people and businesses to build their capacity to innovate, compete and grow.

The Government’s role should be to ensure that the huge amounts of public and private investment in skills, is used to develop a simple, coherent and joined-up approach to skills development; one that supports programmes that contribute to skills, jobs and growth. We need to encourage employers to take a greater degree of leadership and control of the education and training system. And we need to support businesses and schools, encouraging them to work together to develop coherent, comprehensive and cost effective approaches to developing the skills young people need to thrive and succeed in the rapidly changing world of work.

We are doing this in Sheffield with the Cutlers’ ‘Better Learners, Better Workers’ programmes which are demand driven, employer-led programmes focused on developing the skills employers are looking for in their employees. Students on the programmes are provided with a menu of activities to develop these skills. These student ‘Ambassadors’ promote the business sectors to peers and businesses get to see and help develop young people’s talents and abilities. Importantly, the programme has an employer endorsed Skills Passport awarded at the end of the programme.