HM Government

Over the last few years, we have made upskilling the UK a priority. We have increased support for those on benefits to help them get into work, invested extensively in new training, worked closely with employers to help them to train their staff, and taken steps to integrate employment and skills support. This has transformed the welfare state, led to a significant change in the quality, availability and take-up of lifelong learning opportunities and is beginning to change the skills landscape.

But to take full advantage of the new opportunities in a global economy, we can't afford to miss out on anyone’s talents. We believe that whether they go to university or take a vocational route, those who have the desire and ability to study and train throughout their working life should be able to access the support they need in order to raise their skill levels. That’s why in this chapter we are introducing new policies to ensure that people's potential to get on in work does not end at their first stab at education. Whether people have been out of the workforce bringing up children, or whether they face other barriers to accessing training and improving their skills, our focus is on removing those barriers and helping them realise their potential.