Portsmouth MP Stephen Morgan has backed plans to give businesses the flexibility they need to invest in skills training and build up the workforce for the green jobs of the future.
Following a trip to the Rolls Royce Motor Cars plant in Chichester, the Shadow Schools Minister said it is key that young people are being trained to possess the digital and green skills needed to support the country’s transition to net zero.
During the visit Mr Morgan met with Rolls Royce employees to discuss the company’s apprenticeship scheme and future talent programme, as well as view Spectre – Rolls Royce’s first electric car.
The visit came as new analysis from the Labour Party revealed the increasing number of business reporting staffing challenges with 500,000 businesses having to pause some of their trading activity because of a shortage of workers with the right skills.
The Conservatives failure to deliver a skills system that works has left the country ill-prepared for the challenges we face over the next decade, including the transition to net zero, and reaping the benefits of technological change.
Mr Morgan backed plans to address the skills and workforce shortage holding firms back by giving businesses the flexibility to train their workforce and deliver growth.
Labour will turn the Tories’ failed Apprenticeships Levy into a ‘Growth and Skills Levy’ allowing it to be used on a greater range of courses, including digital skills, to ensure businesses can invest in their workforce gaining the skills businesses need to grow.
A Labour Government would also establish a new expert body – Skills England – to oversee the national skills effort.
Working collaboratively, Skills England will engage with skills agencies across the devolved nations and identify levers to encourage businesses to invest in skills, with a particular focus on ensuring Britain has the skills needed to meet wider ambitions set out in the Industrial Strategy and Labour’s Green Prosperity Plan.
Portsmouth South MP, Stephen Morgan said:
“It was a great pleasure to visit the Rolls Royce plant and speak with employees about the opportunities and challenges coming in the near future.
“I was delighted to hear that the company plans for all its vehicles to go electric by 2030. It is now our challenge as a country to ensure that we have enough young people coming through school and college with the green technological skills needed to make this transition happen.
“By investing in our skills system and giving businesses greater flexibility, we can boost our economy, transform people’s career trajectories and make our country a green energy superpower.”
Jonathan Reynolds MP, Labour’s Shadow Business Secretary, added:
“All good businesses know that their workforce is their greatest asset. Labour will give firms the flexibility they need to train staff and make sure our businesses can grow.
“Labour’s plan to unlock the skills and talents of British workers in partnership with business will help workers improve their skills and ensure businesses can develop. It’s clear only Labour has a plan to address the skills shortages we face and get our economy back on track.”
Labour’s Green Prosperity Plan will unlock new jobs, investment and economic growth across our country, supported by private investment in industries of the future and further devolution so communities can really take back control. Labour will act fast to lead the world with clean and cheap power by 2030.
On the visit to Rolls Royce Motor Cars Mr Morgan also learnt about the company’s ambitions for expansion including the recently-submitted planning application and their work in the community across the south coast.
