The government will face calls for continued investment in FE and skills when sector leaders meet in Birmingham today.
The Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) will use its one-day autumn conference to release its updated 2015 general election manifesto, which calls on government to commit to continued investment in filling the skills gap.
The conference will be told that “tackling growing skills shortages is key to sustaining the recovery,” and that investment is needed to make sure everyone reaches a minimum level of skill, with programmes for the unemployed focusing on early intervention and personalised delivery.
Other priorities for the AELP in its updated manifesto include the need to “grow the credibility of traineeships,” better access to information about the labour market and more integration between programmes and initiatives.
Stewart Segal, AELP chief executive, is expected to say: “Training providers will be encouraged that party leaders have placed apprenticeships among their highest priorities for the next parliament and I believe that growing the programme will not just make a big difference to people’s careers but will also make a significant contribution to answering employers’ skills needs as the economy continues to recover.
“However we have shown in AELP’s updated manifesto that other actions are also required to maximise the return and effectiveness of government investment in training in order to underpin a sustainable economic recovery and strengthen social inclusion.”
Skills Minister Nick Boles is listed among the speakers at the conference at Birmingham’s Hilton Metropole Hotel.
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