Britain needs training guarantees so no worker is left behind, says TUC

Commenting on today’s (Tuesday) publication of the Industrial Strategy Council’s final publication from its Skills Insight project, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:  

“The government should work closely with unions and employers to embed learning and training in Britain’s workplace culture. It helps people progress to more fulfilling work with better pay. And it raises productivity, making our businesses and services more successful.  

“Investment in training is now urgently needed for workers affected by sweeping changes to the economy from the pandemic, digitisation and climate change. The government must produce a national skills plan that guarantees no worker is left behind – backed by a fully-funded right to re-train. 

“Unions have thousands of workplace learning reps and we provide direct training to our members through unionlearn. We’re ready to step up a gear to help Britain build back better, with lifelong learning for all working people.” 

The TUC is calling for the following additional training and investment provision to build back better after the pandemic: 

• A job guarantee at a real living wage, or the union negotiated rate for the job, for unemployed workers, targeted initially to young people with a flexible training element including the option for kickstarting an apprenticeship. 

• A new right to re-train for everybody, backed by funding and personal lifelong learning accounts. This would use the £600m investment promised for a national skills fund, with the national retraining partnership acting as a gateway.  

• An education and training guarantee for all school leavers and other young people aged 25 and under. It would include apprenticeships, college or university places, and other education and training options.