Insights
Skills and training
We’re campaigning for a skills revolution, including and beyond the Apprenticeship Levy, to create a system that is fair, accessible, and works for everyone in the labour market.
Our 2024 campaigning priorities
Ahead of the looming General Election, we will centre this year's campaigning around the ideas outlined in our manifesto. These asks are designed to protect and promote the value of our industry, and to influence the policies of all parties in the UK to adopt these recommendations. The below represent our key campaign asks in this area
Understanding Today’s People and Labor Market Challenges:
- Develop a comprehensive Workforce Plan for the UK through collaboration with businesses and employee representative bodies.
- Conduct the Workplace Employment Relations Study (WERS) to guide evidence-based strategies for the workforce.
- Advocate for policies that embrace and celebrate diverse work arrangements.
Supporting Our Labor Market Transition for the Future:
- Encourage representation of local labour market experts in Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) to address evolving job demands.
- Propose revisions in immigration policies to align with a transitioning labour market and ensure regular reviews of occupation shortage lists.
- Integrate considerations for net-zero and technological advancements into education, promoting green skills training and defining roles in green sectors
Boosting Workforce Productivity and Reducing Inactivity:
- Reform the Apprenticeship Levy to facilitate modular training for a broader spectrum of workers.
- Invest in improving local transportation links and expand childcare entitlements to enhance workforce participation.
- Advocate for reforming public sector procurement processes and mandate reporting on ethnicity and disability pay gaps in larger businesses to foster labour market diversity.
Regulating for a Sustainable and Dynamic Labor Market:
- Review and update employment laws to accommodate the flexible nature of modern work.
- Overhaul the off-payroll working rules (IR35) and institute regulations covering the entire labour supply chain.
- Establish a well-resourced Single Enforcement Body (SEB) to enhance coordination between departments, ensure compliance, and clarify worker rights.
Beyond the general election, we have a number of key campaigns to focus on this year:
Promoting good recruitment, equality, diversity and inclusion
- We will drive best practices around EDI in the recruitment industry and highlight the role great recruiters play in creating a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
- Operate as a thought leader on EDI for the recruitment industry, producing guidance and practical advice to help recruiters embrace and practice EDI.
Making the voices of temporary workers heard
- We will use our network to amplify the voice of the temporary workers, highlighting the reasons why millions of people choose to work this way every day.
- Work with our members to promote the voice of the temporary workers to key stakeholders ahead of, and after, the general election, so all parties understand the importance of temporary work.
