TUC Skills 2050 – Call for evidence update

To support the work of the project we launched a call for evidence seeking views on the current skills settlement in the UK and how it might be transformed so that it delivers for workers, employers and drives sustainable growth in every postcode.  

The initial evidence we have received has given us a great foundation for our project, highlighting some emerging areas of consensus:

• A need for lifelong learning and paid time off to train for workers, so they can overcome key barriers to training – time and permission.  
• The qualification architecture is over reformed and complex to navigate for all stakeholders.
• Modular, portable and stackable provision is desirable versus long, fixed standard program.
• Where genuine social partnership exists – it works!

We are continuing to accept submissions to continue to build our evidence base – the call for evidence questions are wide ranging, if you'd like to respond you don't have to answer every question, just the ones that are relevant to you, your experience or your organisation.

This call for evidence is structured around four key themes:

• Future skills needs – how the system responds to immediate, medium- and long-term changes including automation, artificial intelligence, and the transition to a net zero economy
• Access and qualifications – who can access learning and training opportunities, and how access varies across different groups of workers
• Worker voice and collective bargaining – the role of trade unions, worker influence, and employment rights in shaping access to skills and progression
• Systems and infrastructure – how the skills system is funded, delivered, and governed, including employer investment, public funding, and the capacity of further education

We are keen to hear more evidence across all the areas outlined in the questions – but we are particularly keen to deepen our evidence and understanding in the following areas:  

• Worker experiences of navigating the skills system and accessing and progressing through training.  
• Sectoral evidence of current and future skills needs, how work in that sector is being reshaped and the impact on jobs and job roles, and good practice of training, union and employer bargaining and partnership on skills.  
• Combined and local authority experiences of the current skills settlement and opportunities to ensure national coordination and standards while meeting local/ regional/ placed based needs.  
• Views on how to simplify the skills settlement and encourage employer investment.

If you would like to make a submission to the Skills 2050 project, please email your response to Skills2050@tuc.org.uk 

Download a copy of the questions