“The core principle here is that through education, training and acquiring skills, people can set their lives onto a new track, resulting in genuine social mobility.” Stephen Williams MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills

“Too often we limit ambition right from the start. We must empower young people through education, training and better careers advice.” Baroness Verma, Opposition Spokesperson for Children, Schools and Families

Published 3 February 2010.

National Skills Forum launches latest report into Skills and Inclusion

The National Skills Forum and Associate Parliamentary Skills Group undertook a 6 month Inquiry into skills and social inclusion which explored the impact of skills policy on three traditionally excluded groups:

• Black and minority ethnic people
• Offenders and ex-offenders
• People with disabilities

In bringing together the skills and equalites agenda, this report argues that better access to skills and training can create a more inclusive labour market, bringing economic advantage as well as helping to create a fairer and more mobile society. 

The report outlines recommendations on several key themes including: increasing the participation of these particular groups in vocational learning and apprenticeships, raising aspiration through careers guidance, making the allocation of skills funding more flexible, rewarding training providers who perform well on equality and diversity, and ensuring that these learners have the right skills necessary to gain employment. 

The Inquiry was chaired by Gordon Marsden MP, Chair of the Associate Parliamentary Skills Group, and Jacqui Henderson CBE, Director of Creative Leadership and Skills Strategies. The final report is based on the findings of a series of roundtable sessions and open consultation with experts and key figures working in the field.

Supported by TTF

The launch

Following a series of roundtable discussions and an open consultation, the National Skills Forum and Associate Parliamentary Skills Group launched the final report of their Inquiry into skills and inclusion in Parliament, on Wednesday 3rd February.

Speakers at the launch:

• Gordon Marsden MP, Chair Associate Parliamentary Skills Group
• Jacqui Henderson CBE, Director Creative Leadership and Skills Strategies
• Jim Knight MP, Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform
• Baroness Verma, Conservative Spokesperson for Children, Schools and Families
• Stephen Williams MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills

Jacqui Henderson CBE, Inquiry Co-Chair commented:

“Getting training right is about giving people the skills they and potential employers actually need and raising expectations of what learners from disadvantaged or excluded groups can achieve. What emerged very clearly form the inquiry was that we must start with the needs of the learner rather than obsessing about targets and box ticking”.

“Too often we limit ambition right from the start. We must empower young people through education, training and better careers advice.” Baroness Verma, Opposition Spokesperson for Children, Schools and Families

“Too often we limit ambition right from the start. We must empower young people through education, training and better careers advice.”

Baroness Verma, Opposition Spokesperson for Children, Schools and Families