Skills England has published its first Annual Skills Report, providing the most comprehensive picture to date of current and future skills demand across England

Landmark Report Sets Out Action to Address Key Skills Gaps
Landmark Report Sets Out Action to Address Key Skills Gaps

The Alan Milburn interim report into young people and work, published last week, found that nearly one million 16 to 24-year-olds are currently not in education, employment or training (NEET), underlining the need to better connect young people to jobs and training. At the same time, Skills England’s new analysis shows demand across priority sectors is expected to grow by around 24% over the next decade — equivalent to an additional 1.8 million workers.

Together, these trends underline the urgent need for a more agile, high-quality skills system that can respond to the needs of a fast-changing economy while opening up opportunities for young people.

The Annual Skills Report draws on detailed skills needs assessments across ten priority sectors critical for driving economic growth. It sets out priorities for strengthening the skills system, making sure it delivers for the Industrial Strategy and better meets the needs of employers, including small and medium sized businesses (SMEs), and supports individuals into good jobs.

The top five challenges identified in report and the targeted action Skills England will take are:

The report emphasises that no single organisation can address these challenges alone, and highlights the need for stronger partnerships between employers, providers, local leaders and government. 

Baroness Jacqui Smith, Minister for Skills:

Phil Smith, Chair of Skills England, said:

Laura-Jane Rawlings MBE DL, CEO of Youth Employment UK, said:

Sara Todd, Chief Executive of Trafford Council, said: