The purpose of the Crosby Enrichment Learning Topics:
The Crosby Enrichment Learning Topics encompass a wide range of subjects and topics that are selected to enhance the apprentices learning experience beyond the apprenticeship standard curriculum.
These subjects and topics can include academic enrichment, cultural experiences and capital, personal development, current affairs, the exploration of British Values and UK Law and statutory legislation.
Key points for discussion:
Acknowledge Sensitivity: Some topics and subjects selected for discussion may be sensitive and controversial and will require a thoughtful approach.
Clear guidelines: Clear guidelines for respectful and considerate communication will be expected, such as active listening, avoiding potentially offensive remarks, using appropriate language, providing relevant context, applying critical thinking to stay focused on the topic and subject being discussed.
Research: Gather information and understand different perspectives relating to the topic and subject to be discussed.
Prepare for Emotions: Anticipate potential emotional responses and be prepared to address them with empathy and understanding.
UK Skills:
Government statement: Skills are vital to our future, and improving skills is essential to building sustainable growth and stronger communities.
A skilled workforce is necessary to stimulate the private-sector growth that will bring new jobs and new prosperity for people all over the UK.
The UK’s skills agenda focuses on addressing national skills shortages through significant investment and reforms. Key initiatives include a new £3 billion skills programme with 120,000 training opportunities and 30,000 apprenticeships, alongside reforms to the apprenticeship levy and the creation of Skills England to better align education with employer needs. The goal is to boost productivity, fuel economic growth, and reduce reliance on foreign labour by building a highly skilled domestic workforce.
The skills Agenda: Key priorities and initiatives:
Digital and Tech: Skills in AI, data analysis, cybersecurity, software development, and cloud engineering are in high demand and can be crucial for career growth.
Green Skills: Focus on skills related to the clean energy sector, as this is a priority area for the UK.
Healthcare: There is a significant need for skilled workers in adult social care, medicine, nursing, and pharmacy.
Professional Services: Skills in finance, project management, digital marketing, and business services are in demand.
Engineering and Construction: There is a shortage of workers in mechanical and electrical engineering and construction fields.
The plan:
- Increased productivity and employment because of an internationally competitive skills base.
- Increased numbers of skilled jobs and skilled people at all levels.
- Increase the percentage of working-age people who have achieved at least Level 2, Level 3, or Level 4 – and compared with international benchmarks.
- Improve the skills gained by adults to have high economic value, both through publicly or privately funded training, and provide progression to higher levels of learning.
- Increase investment in training by employers and individuals.
- Increases in response to improved opportunities and incentives, and increased numbers of apprenticeships being jointly provided by employers and government.
- Increase the number of people completing apprenticeships (all ages, all levels)
- Reduced skill deficiencies at the local, regional or sectoral level, so they are quickly identified and tackled through the demand-led skills system.
- Increase the proportion of employers reporting skills shortages and gaps.
- Increase opportunities for adult learning available in all parts of the country in lifelong learning, by area and by socio-demographic groups.
- Reduced numbers of 18–24-year-olds who are NEET.
Reflection time: We ask our apprentices to reflect on the questions posed as these may be discussed during your next progress review.
- Why is the UK economy experiencing such low, sluggish growth?
- Is lack of investment holding back growth?
- Why is UK productivity stalled more severely than many other developed nations?
- What is the solution to getting more 16–24-year-olds into education, employment and training?