Great Britain: employers called on to give their views on training for 16-year-olds and over

On 02 March, the UK government opened a consultation aimed at reforming training for 16-year-olds and older who do not follow the traditional secondary and tertiary education route. The UK executive is seeking to modify the various qualifications being offered so they are better tailored to meet the needs of companies in terms of skills. The consultation process, open until 27 April, will focus on Level 2 education and below (UK Level 3 is the equivalent of the final secondary education examination level). Currently, 8,000 Level 2 and below qualifications are offered in the UK, mainly in the construction, health, and beauty sectors. However, many of the diplomas appear very similar, making it difficult for thousands of young people to navigate their way through the course choices. As such the government wants to clarify, unify and simplify these courses. Employers will be called upon to set out the knowledge and skills expected for each field, while several reports have recently highlighted a lack of technical knowledge by those currently following level 2 and below courses. “We want to make sure all qualifications are high-quality and help people progress in life and work,” explained the Apprenticeships and Skills Minister, Alex Burghart.