Localised approach needed to prevent ‘skills drain’

MORE power should be given to the North over skills strategy, according to a new report from the think tank IPPR North.

The report argues that a more localised approach would boost the economy nationwide and allow people to maintain their local roots, preventing a northern ‘skills drain’.

IPPR claims the North of England has a higher percentage of its adult population with no qualifications – three million – than the English average. There are over 3 million people of working age in the North with no qualifications.
 
The report also argues that the budget for adult further education, skills and apprenticeships,which currently stands at £3.8bn, should be shared out across the country.
 
It recommends increasing the provision of local apprenticeship hubs to enable employers to collaborate.
 
Ed Cox, director at IPPR North, said: “A localised approach to skills would help boost economic performance in the North and bring enormous benefits to the UK as a whole.

“Local Enterprise Partnerships need to play a key role in linking up skills, employment and growth in their local area and be given more responsibility over budgets.”