Make UK commission to get to root of UK skills deficit

The manufacturing trade body said it has assembled experts in education, training and industry to identify the wide scale problems in the skills system and create an effective talent pathway into manufacturing.

Co-chaired by former minster for skills, apprenticeships and higher education Robert Halfon and former deputy leader of the Labour Party Tom Watson, Baron Watson of Wyre Forest, the Industrial Strategy Skills Commission will identify key priorities that government must address to support skills creation. It will also highlight emerging issues so industry and government can respond effectively.

Make UK said manufacturers are still struggling to recruit with some 58,000 unfilled live vacancies. The talent pipeline continues to decline also, with apprentice starts down 42 per cent since the Apprenticeship Levy was introduced and T-levels not having the required uptake to make a meaningful difference.

The Industrial Strategy Skills Commission will meet regularly, supported by an advisory board from across the skills and industry spectrum. The Commissioners will draw from a mix of written evidence from the widest possible range of stakeholders and will make on-site visits to manufacturers and training providers to look at best practice as part of their solution gathering. Their findings will be reported into the government early next year.