Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 15
15
Acknowledged
Skills Bootcamps are courses lasting up to 16 weeks for people looking to change sectors...
Conclusion
Skills Bootcamps are courses lasting up to 16 weeks for people looking to change sectors or progress in their current industry. By April 2022, 24,500 people had started a Bootcamp.18 DfE told us that Skills Bootcamps were particularly important for those in low-paid work who are looking for opportunities to progress, and that DWP had been referring low-paid workers and their employers to the programme. It asserted that Skills 12 C&AG’s Report para 4.33 13 Qq 65–66, 69 14 Q 65; C&AG’s Report para 2.22 15 C&AG’s Report, paras 2.23–2.24 16 Qq 65, 69 17 C&AG’s Report, paras 4.6–4.7, Figure 15 18 C&AG’s Report, para 4.15 Developing workforce skills for a strong economy 11 Bootcamps were proving to be a popular model, which was why it had decided to scale up the programme.19 DfE also claimed that, while interventions such as Skills Bootcamps involve learners attending training for only a short time, they could still be effective in helping people to become more valuable and sought-after.20
Government Response Summary
The government is simplifying the further education funding system and skills offer, integrating the Traineeship programme into existing provision from 1 August 2023, and simplifying the careers guidance system.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
3: PAC conclusion: The multiplicity of government skills programmes make it hard for employers and individuals to navigate to the training that best meets their needs. 3: PAC recommendation: DfE, working with other departments as necessary, should take action to review the number of skills programmes and eliminate overlap between them. 3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 3.2 In July 2022 the government consulted on proposals for how it will deliver a simpler, streamlined further education funding system. On 30 January 2023 it announced a new flexibility for funding innovative provision in devolved areas for 2023-24, and a new simpler set of funding rates for the Education and Skills Funding Agency skills fund from 2024-25. 3.3 To simplify its skills offer the government will integrate the Traineeship programme into existing provision from 1 August 2023. This means Traineeships will no longer be funded through a standalone national programme. 3.4 Additionally, the department is simplifying the post-16-year-old qualifications landscape at Level 3 and below, ensuring that all publicly-funded qualifications are high quality and lead to good progression outcomes. 3.5 The department is also simplifying the careers guidance system by improving alignment between the National Careers Service and The Careers & Enterprise Company. 3.6 The department is delivering joined-up campaigns under a single, cross-government brand (Skills for Life) to promote the different education, training and skills routes available to young people, adults and employers. 3.7 The department also works closely with other government departments through the Labour Market Steering Group and with Sector Delivery Leads to identify how skills programmes can address workforce issues most efficiently. For example, Employment and Skills Pathfinders are a joint DWP/DfE initiative exploring how closer alignment at local level can support delivery of effective employment and skills interventions, improving claimants’ employment and progression outcomes.