Inflation has remained higher for longer than expected and there are concerns that, in a tight labour market, people are better able to drive up their wages to try and catch up with prices.
In this blog, L&W chief executive Steven Evans investigates whether this is really the case and observes that higher-paid sectors have benefitted from higher pay rises over the last year compared to certain lower-paid sectors.
Are recruitment challenges driving up earnings growth?
Click here to read the blog
Social Mobility Commission event on the 28th of September 2-3pm.
This event is for policy makers, government officials, educators, business leaders and employers, charities
and individuals who, like the Social Mobility Commission, are committed to making a difference for people
across the UK – to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive irrespective of their background or the
place they grew up.
Register here
International Youth Day this year is on Saturday 12th August 2023.
This year’s theme: Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World.
International youth day, bringing youth issues to the attention of the international community and celebrating the potential of youth as partners in today’s global society.
As a part of the work to improve the skills system being conducted by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE), this report presents findings from externally commissioned research with employers as part of IfATE’s Big Conversation. This research draws on findings from 46 interviews and two focus groups with employers who were engaged, semi-engaged and not engaged with IfATE.
The central aim of the research is to improve the skills system in England; find out what is working well and avenue for potential improvement.
Employers were recruited from a total of 12 routes, and just under half of the employers were from the engineering and manufacturing and the education and childcare routes.
Overall, employers across engagement levels viewed apprenticeships positively and were impressed with the improved promotion and quality of apprenticeships following the introduction of the new apprenticeship standards. Additionally, engaged employers noted that location often determines the availability of apprenticeships.
The City of Bradford will benefit from a cash boost of at least £10 million to kick off the city’s tenure as UK City of Culture in 2025 meeting one of the Prime Minister’s five priorities – help grow the economy,
The cash boost supports the Government’s ambition to grow the economy and create opportunities with almost 7,000 new jobs and growth of £389 million in the local economy.
The Welsh Government report linked here examines the experience of professionals supporting learning in the transition from education to employment in the Wales area.
Some of the recommendations include learners should be provided with authentic and meaningful experiences of the world of work/young people should be allowed to make viable and informed choices/ensure that an offer of a meaningful work experience placement is available to all learners aged 14-18 in Wales.
Here is an example of a school working together with an offshore wind development company.
Report by IES published in June on the Mental Health of young people in work.
The report forms part of a three-year project on improving good quality work for young people. It highlights experiences of young people and their mental health at work. What challenges they face, what action is needed by policymakers, employers, and wider support networks.
Key Findings
Employers up and down the country have been recognised by the government for their outstanding
commitment to apprenticeships.
The Top 10 Apprenticeship Employers for 2023 are:
The British Army
BT
Royal Navy
PwC
The Go-Ahead Group
Deloitte
Royal Air Force
EY
Department for Work and Pensions
Nissan
The Top 5 SME Apprenticeship Employers for 2023 are:
Lee Marley Brickwork
PM+M Solutions for Business
FD Works
Bodystreet
Less Than Zero Barbers
Millions of people can save money on every day travel to work and make the most of affordable days out this summer, as the ‘Get Around for £2’ scheme is extended for another 4 months, supporting households with the cost of living while growing the economy.
The £2 bus fare cap – previously due to come to an end on 30 June – will now continue until 31 October 2023, helping passengers save a third off the average ticket price.
The offer will be available for single bus tickets on over 5,000 routes in England outside London, helping people get to work, see loved ones, access medical appointments and travel to holiday hotspots for less.
The scheme will then continue at £2.50 for one year until November 2024, thanks to £200 million in government funding to help people save money on travel while growing the economy.
The move is an essential part of the government’s help for households’ initiative to support everyone through the increased cost of living and will particularly benefit those on lower incomes who take nearly three times as many bus trips than those on higher incomes.
Regions around Aberdeen and Glasgow chosen in joint agreement by UK & Scottish Government.
Glasgow City Region and North East of Scotland will be Scotland’s Investment Zones following an agreement between the UK Government and Scottish Government.
The delivery of investment zones will build on the success of the joint UK and Scottish government agreement for two Green Freeports in Inverness and Cromarty Firth and Firth of Forth, to create jobs, drive growth and level up the country.