Commenting on the Department for Education’s new proposals on skills training, Claire Walker, Co-Executive Director for the BCC, said:

“Apprenticeships and jobs with training opportunities have been severely impacted by the pandemic, particularly for young people.  These new flexible apprenticeships will widen the scheme’s appeal and provide opportunities across a whole new range of career pathways. They will also help businesses create more high-quality earning and learning opportunities for people and boost skills in the workplace.

“It is also very encouraging to see proposals for the new Skills Accelerator programme. We will be examining the details of this important initiative but are confident that Accredited Chambers of Commerce across the country are well placed to play a leading role in developing these robust skills plans. If delivered in full, these plans will put businesses on the front foot in training their workforce, providing a welcome boost to national productivity.”