At this year’s Liberal Democrat Party Conference, the Education Policy Institute has partnered with Core Cities UK to co-host a fringe event discussing the need to address the skills gap in cities and regions across the United Kingdom.
Cities are fundamental to economic growth, but they need highly skilled workers to fulfill their entire economic potential. Our future supply of skilled workers is held in an uncertain balance as the United Kingdom prepares to leave the EU. The launch of the government’s Industrial Strategy last November indicates a much-welcomed appetite to strengthen technical education provision and focus on fostering growth outside of London. However geographical disparities in education and skills pose a significant challenge to these aims. Can reforms to education including the apprenticeship levy, establishment of Institutes of Technology and introduction of T-levels address the widening skills gap, and ensure our cities and regions have the tools they need to prosper? What opportunities will be presented under Local Industrial Strategies for cities to secure our economic future?
Speakers at this event include Caroline Pidgeon AM (London Assembly), Lord Shipley and Chris Murray (Core Cities UK). The panel will be chaired by the Rt Hon. David Laws (Education Policy Institute).
For more information please contact conference@epi.org.uk.
