The Government s new agenda has drawn a mixed reaction from Cumbrians after it was outlined in the Queen s Speech. The speech revealed plans to offer more opportunities for people in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, with some focused on supporting the nation’s recovery, backing the NHS, levelling up and spreading opportunity. The speech set out new laws as part of the prime minister’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee, which aims to give people the skills, they need for well-paid jobs and opportunities to train throughout their lifetime, as well as new laws on a variety of issues such as internet safety, animal welfare and the environment.
Why now is the perfect time for a midlife career reboot
The Prime Minister’s reskilling initiative is a chance for older workers to stay relevant, says Eleanor Mills
Eleanor Mills
Credit: Heathcliff O Malley for The Telegraph
Yesterday, Boris Johnson called for a “revolution”. It didn’t involve tanks or flag-waving but, to those who feel they’re on the midlife career scrapheap, it might prove just as radical.
“We know that having the right skills and training is the route to better, well-paid jobs,” said the Prime Minister. “I’m revolutionising the system so we can move past the outdated notion that there is only one route up the career ladder, and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to retrain or upskill at any point in their lives.”
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12 May 2021 The introduction of the Lifetime Skills Guarantee, announced in the Queen s Speech yesterday (11 May), has been broadly welcomed although there are concerns it will not do enough to protect young women left vulnerable after the pandemic.
The much-anticipated Lifetime Skills Guarantee will offer every UK adult access to a flexible loan for higher-level education.
Steve Collinson, HR director at Zurich UK, said the announcement of a skills revolution and the introduction of a skills guarantee could not come at a better time.
He said: “The pandemic has had a fundamental impact on the UK labour market and its skill base.
Queen’s speech criticised for lack of skills provision The Queen’s Speech has been criticised by food industry representatives for its lack of focus on provision for food and drink skills, and the sweeping ban on junk food ads that it heralded.
In a supporting document released alongside yesterday’s (11 May) speech, the Government announced a new Lifetime Skills Guarantee, but little mention was given to its role in providing food and drink sector training.
Food and Drink Federation (FDF) innovation and skills policy manager Mark Corbett was disappointed that the scheme had not been extended to cover food and drink processing.
The government’s new legislative programme will be unveiled in the Queen’s Speech today.
Landmark reforms will support the nation’s recovery from the pandemic, building on the progress made so far to level up the country and ensure equal opportunities for all.
The Prime Minister’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee will be a central part of the Queen’s Speech. New laws will create a post-16 and adult education and training system that is fit for the future, providing the skills that people need for well-paid jobs and opportunities to train throughout their lifetime.
The legislative measures include:
enabling a new student finance system to transform the current student loans system, which will give every adult access to a flexible loan for higher-level education and training at university or college, useable at any point in their lives