Following the announcement of a Skills and Post-16 Education Bill in the Queen’s Speech, we welcome the lifetime skills guarantee to support people to learn and work. This was a key recommendation of the Skills Commission and Policy Connect’s England Skills Puzzle report.

We look forward to the release of the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill on Tuesday 18 May and encourage the Government to include a joint funding model between individuals and employers, including local and state funding. This model would stimulate demand for lifelong learning, while providing employers with the skilled workforce they need. We also recommend funding for flexible, modular and blended learning, to suit people in all circumstances.

From Liz North, Head of the Education & Skills team