BRC responds to latest Skills White Paper

Responding to the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, Luiza Gomes, Employment & Skills Policy Adviser at the BRC, said:

“We are delighted that Government has listened to industry and committed to making a crucial reform to the Growth and Skills Levy, finally allowing employers to use the Levy on short, flexible training courses from April next year.

“The BRC has long called for this simple fix to be made. An estimated 40-50% of the retail workforce are in need of upskilling, and retailers will now be able to use a greater proportion of their Levy funds to offer more training opportunities.

“We look forward to working constructively with Skills England on the next steps. It is vital that Government works with the retail industry, the largest private sector employer, to find more ways retailers can maximise use of their Levy funds to increase and improve the number of apprenticeships and training opportunities they offer, create better jobs, boost productivity, and help the economy to grow.”