Almost three-quarters (72 per cent) of adults believe that ensuring young people have access to high-quality skills, apprenticeships and vocational education qualifications will be a vital part of Covid-19 recovery, according to new research.
The research, carried out by Censuswide for WorldSkills UK, also found that 71 per cent of respondents believe that ensuring access to skills, apprenticeships and vocational education is vital for the economy post-Brexit.
And 68 per cent of people surveyed believe that the government should make skills, apprenticeships and vocational education a top priority in its upcoming Spending Review. The survey had 1000 respondents.
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The results come as the sector awaits a FE White Paper that is due to set out a series of reforms in further education and weeks after Boris Johnson announced an “opportunity guarantee” for adults.
In a House of Commons statement shortly after the prime minister’s announcement, education secretary Gavin Williamson said that the guarantee would be the “backbone” to the country’s Covid recovery.
‘Invest in high-quality skills development’
Neil Bentley-Gockmann, chief executive of WorldSkills UK, said that the results underline the “wide public support” for technical education pathways.
He said: “As we build a skills-led economic recovery from Covid, we must focus on excellence, not just competence, and ensure that we develop a first-class skills system for young people and their employers.
“Higher standards in technical education and apprenticeships help create jobs, fuel productivity and encourage overseas investment. The best way to power our post-Covid recovery is to invest in high-quality skills development that is accessible to everyone, regardless of age or background.
“The prime minister’s recent announcements on funding for adult FE and skills were very encouraging, especially during such a challenging time for not just further education, but the economy as a whole. It is vitally important that we develop a skills system that delivers for all age groups, and tackles vocation snobbery head-on using international best practice to deliver the highest standards in technical education. We look forward to seeing more of the government’s plans on this front through the forthcoming FE White Paper and beyond.”
