I think the development of Skills England and the proposed overhauls to apprenticeships and adult education are some of the most promising policy missions put forward by this government.
In February, I participated in a debate on Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (otherwise known as Skills England) Bill, where I got to shout out some of Ribble Valley’s finest educational institutions – such as the Institute of Technology at Preston College and the apprenticeship and training opportunities at BAE Systems Samlesbury.
The Lancashire and Cumbria Institute of Technology at Preston College works with around 950 employers who help design the curriculum, support assessments, offer mentoring and industry placements for its IoT students.
BAE Systems Samlesbury also offers fantastic opportunities and in 2024, their apprentices achieved a 94% completion rate across the nation. I know from having worked in Economic Development in Lancashire in the past, that many of the local SMEs in the area have benefited in the past from BAE overtraining in their Apprenticeship programmes, so that there is a supply of apprentices who can flow into the surrounding SME supply chain.
Alongside this, with the pressing skills gap negatively affecting our economy, it is vital that our government puts forward workable solutions. Skills England will ensure we create and nurture vital skills of the future that help this government realise our ambitious missions for growth and opportunity.
Crucially, the government committed to linking immigration and skills policy, as a way to tackle the UK’s reliance on international recruitment. Skills England will work with the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to monitor sectors where skills shortages are leading to increases in overseas recruitment. While migration can play a strategic role in supporting our economy, it cannot be utilised as the only means to address skills and training gaps.
The Bill made it’s way through the final stages in Spring, and received Royal Assent in May 2025. I now look forward to helping the government implement the Bill, so we can make Skills England work for communities in Ribble Valley.
