Labour calls for Ministers to get a grip on skills shortages as data reveals stark declines in training opportunities

Labour has called for Ministers to get a grip on skills shortages as data has revealed stark declines in training opportunities across key sectors, holding back British businesses and our economic prosperity.

As employers are battling record vacancies and shortages of skilled workers, Labour analysis has revealed a stark decline in training opportunities, with apprenticeship starts falling by nearly 200,000 over the last decade, including an 85% decline in manufacturing apprenticeships since 2016. This comes as reports also show the government has failed to hit their target for creating traineeships giving young people their first opportunity to learn a trade and gain the skills they need to prosper.

Labour has called for the government to tackle this shortage of training opportunities by introducing a wage subsidy which could have supported employers to take on 100,000 new apprentices this year.

This comes alongside Keir Starmer’s pledge to ensure young people leave education ready for work and ready for life. Through providing professional careers advisors for every school, reintroducing work experience and embedding digital skills across the curriculum, Labour’s plans would ensure young people are gaining the skills they need to prosper in the modern economy.

Toby Perkins MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Further Education and Skills, said:

“The government’s patchworkof skills policies are failing to secure the apprenticeships and training opportunities that businesses and learners need. 

“Labour’s plans would support young people and business to prosper, creating 100,000 new apprenticeships for young people this year, alongside embedding digital skills and reintroducing work experience to ensure every young person leaves education ready for work and ready for life.

“With employers reporting record vacancies, Ministers urgently need to get a grip and tackle the declining opportunities that is holding British businesses back.”