Member

Notwithstanding the excellent work that IfATE has done in the area of developing occupational standards, it has not had the capacity to bring that analysis of skills needs to bear on the decisions being made about the development of new technical qualifications. Skills England will be able to do that. It has already begun sector engagement by carrying out skills needs assessments for the eight growth-driving sectors identified in Invest 2035, the Government’s industrial strategy, plus two further sectors: construction and health and social care, which noble Lords have rightly raised—particularly in the case of construction—as areas where we need to make a considerable improvement in the development of skills. These are all essential to delivering the Government’s missions. Skills England is planning to publish its findings from this engagement process in the new year, and this will inform decisions about the training offer in these sectors.