My Thoughts on the Queens Speech

I was delighted to see the focus on skills in yesterday’s Queen’s Speech - this is absolutely the right priority in a post-Brexit, post-pandemic UK. 

The Covid-19 pandemic has created new challenges for organisations and stalled economic growth. In order to effectively build back better and learn from this marathon crisis, CMI has continually advocated for investment in the skills of their workforce, at all levels and ages. 

As such, we wholeheartedly welcome the recognition of the importance of lifelong learning and retraining, and the access to this training the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee should provide. This policy will be an important foundation to ensure that everyone, no matter their background, can gain the skills they need to progress at work. Although we would like to see that ambition extended beyond level 3, especially since the Lifelong Loan Entitlement is not scheduled to come into effect until 2025.

The Skills and Post-16 Education Bill, announced today, could not be accused of not being ambitious in its scope. It takes a step towards bringing Universities and FE Colleges closer together through parity of access. There is also a focus on making sure that training providers are better run, qualifications are better regulated, and that providers’ performance can be effectively assessed.

These changes are important not just in making the delivery of the post-16 skills system more efficient and effective, but in changing the UK’s cultural attitude to FE and vocational training. If the Government is to succeed in its goal of helping more people thrive where they live, learners and their parents must see FE routes as both robust, and the first step in a prosperous journey.

A greater level of employer engagement in local skills provision will help ensure we develop the skills that businesses actually need - creating more opportunities for those seeking employment and building a stronger, more resilient economy. 

 To do this effectively, the Government must look to existing systems and organisations who can deliver strong links to employers - such as chartered professional bodies, local chambers and training providers - whose connections and expertise can have a transformative effect on provision.

 This last year has demonstrated the importance of effective management practices - I’ve never seen a period where how you lead, develop and support colleagues has been such a big part of the national conversation. The Government needs to capitalise on that interest and encourage as many people as possible to take up management training. CMI estimates we still have 2.5 million 'accidental managers'- those who've never been trained how to lead and manage themselves and others - in our midst. 

Embedding and improving management skills will give our economy the shot in the arm it needs, raising productivity levels within organisations and creating opportunities for all. And, as the last year has effectively demonstrated, taking an inclusive approach to economic growth is imperative to properly ‘build back better’ from turbulence and uncertainty.

The Government must waste no time in implementing the reforms highlighted in the Queen’s Speech. The Prime Minister will have to drive this process at pace to ensure support for lifelong learning is achieved in this Parliament, not after the next election.

If training and vocational education finally get the attention and focus they deserve, there is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to enhance the management and leadership skills in our towns and cities as we work to build back better. Doing so will be one of the biggest drivers of creating a prosperous, innovative and inclusive Britain in the decades to come.