New Broom Sweeps Clean? Shaun Wadsworth Examines Skills England

In most cases with a change in Government, there are inevitably also changes to core systems, education being a key one. Therefore, it is no surprise that back in July, the Labour Party unveiled ‘Skills England‘, a significant proposal aimed at overhauling the education system in England, and highlighted particular emphasis on addressing skills shortages in critical sectors such as construction.

The introduction of Skills England aims to decentralise training, reduce reliance on foreign workers and make access to training and qualifications more accessible through local means rather than relying solely on central Government efforts.

One of the key objectives for Skills England is to try to tackle the shortage of skilled labour in lots of areas within construction and indeed floorlaying is a clear example that requires focus. Our sector has long battled with a lack of new entrants to the industry and opportunities to train locally which inevitably hinders progression on projects and is a link to loss of earnings and increased costs.

The CFA has been fully aware of this for several years and has worked with industry to alleviate those problems through various avenues. Rewriting apprenticeship standards and uplifting funding by over 30%, the CFA has developed multiple new sites for apprenticeship delivery – most notably through our own training arm with FITA in Loughborough – and challenged changes to systems that would directly impact our members and the wider industry. Our focus has included CITB funding, rehoming Scottish apprenticeship delivery and developing the floorlayer NVQ to a point that more of those considering career changes can access funding to train as floorlayers.

By prioritising vocational training and apprenticeships tailored to the construction industry, Skills England aims to bridge this gap even further. This localised approach means training programmes can be more responsive to the specific needs of regional areas, with potential budgets being controlled locally ensuring that the skills being taught align closely with local demand.

A key element of Skills England is the establishment of regional training hubs. These hubs will be designed to work in close partnership with local businesses, construction firms and educational institutions. By doing so, they can provide practical, first-hand training that is directly relevant to the needs of employers. This approach not only ensures that trainees are equipped with the skills that are in high demand but also facilitates smoother transitions into the workforce upon completion of their training. This sounds like a fantastic idea and CFA will continue to ensure floorlaying is correctly represented in this area as we have always done.

The decentralised nature of Skills England is a notable departure from traditional, centrally administered training programmes. One of the primary benefits of this localised system is its ability to be more adaptive and responsive. Local authorities and training providers can tailor their programmes to address specific skills shortages and industry requirements in their areas. This agility is crucial in the floorlaying sector; having developed new areas of delivery for flooring, there are always concerns around how to access funding to create truly tailored approaches to training and in most cases the cost of this is picked up by industry stakeholders, not Government or local authority.

By making training more accessible at the local level, Skills England can hopefully reduce barriers to entry for prospective trainees. Many individuals who benefit from vocational training face logistical challenges, such as travel costs and time commitments, which can be prohibitive. Localised training centres ease these issues by being more geographically accessible, thereby encouraging greater participation.

In terms of addressing the floorlayer skills shortage, Skills England’s approach could hold significant promise. By focusing on vocational training and apprenticeships, the initiative can help increase the stream of skilled workers who are ready to enter the flooring industry. This is particularly important in light of the ongoing housing crisis and the need for extensive infrastructure development across England.

The proposed benefits of Skills England represent a strategic shift towards a more decentralised and responsive education and training system. By focusing on local needs and engaging with regional businesses, it aims to address skills shortages and enhance access to vocational training.

As always though, the transition from initial policy to implementation will not be without its bumps and backwards steps so I am eager to engage with Skills England on behalf of our members and the wider industry.

Shaun Wadsworth is CFA and FITA Training Manager. Call 0115 950 6386, email shaun@fita.co.uk or visit www.fita.co.uk for more information.