Skills and Education Group, comprising three leading awarding organisations – Skills and Education Group Awards, Skills and Education Group Access, and BIIAB – today issued a joint statement affirming its commitment to tackling Britain’s urgent skills crisis, as highlighted in the recent “Skills England: Sector evidence on the growth and skills offer” report.
Rooted in vocational education and training, we recognise the critical nature of the challenges outlined in the report and wholeheartedly welcome the government’s pledge for a revolutionary overhaul of the skills system. The Skills and Education Group is poised to play a pivotal role in addressing the identified skills gaps across key sectors.
The Skills England report is a stark reminder of the urgent need to tackle Britain's skills shortages. We have led the way in vocational education for over a century, continuously adapting to meet the needs of the nation. With our diverse range of qualifications and extensive industry connections, we would like to collaborate with the government, employers and our partner providers to address the situation. Our mission is to empower individuals, equipping them with the essential skills that not only meet national demands but also unlock their potential, open doors to fulfilling careers, and help them thrive in a rapidly changing world.
We are particularly focused on the sectors highlighted in the report where we can have a direct impact through our qualifications. We are committed to playing a pivotal role in addressing the critical skills gaps identified:
Creative Industries
The report highlights that 69% of employers in the creative industries believe their staff urgently require retraining due to the introduction of new technologies.
We already have a suite of qualifications that can support this requirement, including:
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Skills and Education Group Awards: Level One to Level Four Qualifications in the Creative and Design sector and specialist qualifications in Computing and Software.
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BIIAB: While primarily known for its licensed hospitality qualifications, BIIAB also offers qualifications relevant to the broader creative sector, such as those in Customer Service, which are crucial for client-facing creative roles and also in Creative and Design.
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Skills and Education Group Access: Our Access to Higher Education Diploma (Art & Design), and Access to HE Diploma (Creative Entrepreneurship in Music) provide vital pathways for individuals without traditional qualifications to progress to higher education in creative fields, preparing them for the advanced skills needed in this sector.
We welcome the £3 million expansion of the Creative Careers Programme. We are committed to supporting learners into these dynamic roles and will continue to work closely with employers to ensure our offerings are both relevant and flexible.
Life Sciences
With the demand for workers who can blend advanced AI capabilities with traditional scientific expertise, Skills and Education Group Access qualifications are ideally placed to provide foundational knowledge and pathways into this vital sector. Specifically:
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Our Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science), Access to HE Diploma (Medicine), and Access to HE Diploma (Health Science Professions) can equip learners with the scientific and analytical skills required for further study and careers in Life Sciences, including those that involve advanced technologies like AI.
Professional and Business Services
This sector is crucial for economic growth, and our qualifications equip individuals with essential skills across various roles:
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Skills and Education Group Awards: A wide range of qualifications in Business, Customer Service, Management and Leadership, and Education and Skills Workforce that directly support the professional and business services sector. This includes qualifications that can underpin “bolt-on” training for existing workers.
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BIIAB: Qualifications in Management and Leadership, including Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership, Business and Administration including Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Business Administration, and Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Advice and Guidance, all of which are highly relevant to professional and business services.
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Skills and Education Group Access: Our Access to Higher Education Diploma (Business) provides a strong foundation for individuals looking to enter or advance in this sector, preparing them for higher-level study in business, management, or finance.
Construction
Facing a staggering 52% of jobs unfilled, directly threatening the 1.5 million new homes target, the construction sector is in critical need.
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Skills and Education Group Awards: We offer a comprehensive suite of qualifications in Construction, and Fabrication & Welding, and other related trades crucial for this sector, from foundational skills to specialist areas. These qualifications are designed to support apprenticeships and vocational training.
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Our Access to Higher Education Diploma (Engineering) can prepare individuals for higher education in construction-related fields, such as civil engineering, surveying, and construction management.
Health and Adult Social Care
With 40% of positions vacant due to demographic pressures, this sector is in crisis.
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Skills and Education Group Awards: Our extensive offerings in the Youth & Community sector are fundamental to equipping individuals with the skills required for both highly qualified professional roles. We also offer qualifications relevant to the Education & Skills Workforce and counselling sectors.
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BIIAB: Offers qualifications a suite of vocational Health & Social Carequalifications.
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Our Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Work) and Access to HE Diploma (Health Science Professions) are specifically designed to provide individuals with the academic grounding needed to progress to university degrees in nursing, social work, allied health professions, and other vital roles within the health and adult social care sector.
Addressing the Inequality Challenge
We share the sentiment that a single route or reform will not be sufficient. We are dedicated to:
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Ensuring that our qualifications and assessment methods are agile and responsive to rapidly changing technologies and skill needs, particularly in areas such as AI and digital skills.
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Developing ‘bolt-on’ training: We see significant value in providing cutting-edge modules and micro-credentials that supplement prior learning, allowing for rapid upskilling and reskilling without lengthy retraining. This aligns with the needs expressed by creative industries and the digital and technologies sector for flexible, lifelong learning models.
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Building on successful programmes: We will leverage our expertise to support and potentially expand initiatives like Skills Bootcamps, ensuring they deliver intensive, job-focused training in relevant priority sectors.
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Supporting portable apprenticeships: We recognise the need for qualifications that accommodate shorter-term or less predictable working patterns, fostering flexibility and continuous professional development.
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Promoting interdisciplinary skills: We will continue to embed and emphasise transferable skills such as management, leadership, communication, and teamwork within our qualifications, acknowledging their crucial role in amplifying technical expertise and building workforce resilience. The concept of an “energy skills passport” is particularly exciting in recognising existing skills across sectors.
Skills and Education Group Awards, Skills and Education Group Access, and BIIAB are ready to collaborate with Skills England, Strategic Authorities, Local Skills Improvement Plans, colleges, training providers, and sector-specific experts, including professional bodies. We are committed to providing a truly responsive, inclusive, and future-ready skills system that meets Britain’s urgent workforce needs and drives economic growth. We’ve been making an impact in the skills sector since 1912, and we are committed to continuing to do so.
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Learn more about the work of Skills and Education Group here.