Technology Sector Skills Shortages 2023-06-14
2023-06-14
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question addresses the issue of skills shortages in the tech sector and seeks specific actions taken by the government to address this.
What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help tackle skills shortages in the technology sector?
We know that digital skills are a vital building block for developing the workforce of the future, so we are working across Government with educators and employers to grow the pipeline of individuals entering the digital sector. Steps include launching the Digital Skills Council, introducing AI and data science conversion courses, creating new visa routes to attract international tech talent, and investing up to £150 million in skills bootcamps for subjects like software engineering.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question highlights the issue of returned apprenticeship levy funding and Labour's proposed growth and skills levy to address skill shortages.
In contrast to what the Minister says, more than £600 million of apprenticeship levy funding has been returned to the Treasury in the last year alone. Labour will reform the system to create a growth and skills levy that can be used on a wider range of training needed by businesses. Will the Government address the chronic shortage of skills?
We are already acting in that space and work with employers to ensure the apprenticeship levy works effectively for what businesses need.
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Assessment & feedback
Reform the system to match Labour's ambition for addressing skill shortages
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The question focuses on the skills shortage within the submarine construction programme in Barrow, highlighting local initiatives and international collaboration.
The submarine programme in Barrow will deliver thousands of jobs and generations of work but we are struggling to grow our own. We have Furness STEM and UlverSTEM which do good work, but this is an international endeavour with AUKUS and a national endeavour with Dreadnought. What discussions has the Minister had across Government about how we lean in to that skills challenge?
We talk regularly with the Department for Education, Work and Pensions colleagues, tech sectors, and academia to ensure we get it right in terms of domestic and international talent.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific discussions on addressing the skills challenge for the submarine programme
Response accuracy