Byline: Andy Norman

Andy is a research analyst with a particular focus on skills. He holds an MSc in Development Economics from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London and a BSc in Economics from Loughborough University. Andy has previous experience in a UK based international think tank and non-profit organisations in Tanzania and India.

The skills challenge: turning rhetoric into reality

Skills analyst Andy Norman reviews the recent policy developments announced in the Budget and Industrial Strategy White Paper

 

In his Budget speech the Chancellor Phillip Hammond spoke of building a ‘prosperous and inclusive economy where everybody has the opportunity to shine.’ It is a line in keeping with the type of language that has come to characterise the current government’s ambitions since Theresa May’s speech on the steps of Downing Street in July 2016.

Continue reading “The skills challenge: turning rhetoric into reality”

To capitalise on the opportunities of Brexit, Britain must first solve its skills crisis

Using the example of the automotive industry, skills analyst Andy Norman explains why Britain must first solve its skills crisis if it is to make the most of Brexit

As those tasked with negotiating Brexit will not doubt be discovering, the complications of disentangling the UK and EU economies are immense. This is especially true when it comes to trade, with roughly 44% of the UK’s exported goods and services going to EU countries in 2016. But the issue isn’t simply that we sell a lot to the EU, rather that the things we sell often have supply chains that rival even the most adventurous summer Interrail routes.

Continue reading “To capitalise on the opportunities of Brexit, Britain must first solve its skills crisis”

Why apprenticeship policy must prioritise quality

While recent apprenticeships policy has tended to focus on quantity, skills analyst Andy Norman argues that if we are to tackle the country’s skills shortages we need to prioritise quality

 

Apprenticeships form a pivotal part of any country’s attempts to ensure its population has the technical skills needed for the economy to grow and thrive. An effective apprenticeships system can reduce skills gaps, increase productivity and drive social mobility. While this area of skills policy is nothing new – the use of formal apprenticeships in the UK dates back to at least the 16th century – it is one that governments have continually struggled to get right.

Continue reading “Why apprenticeship policy must prioritise quality”

Technical skills: How do the election manifestos compare?

Skills analyst Andy Norman discusses how the Conservative and Labour Manifestos compare on technical skills

In the aftermath of the 2017 election manifesto launches it was the politically partisan issues of social care, renationalisation and tax that dominated the headlines. Yet it was encouraging to see, despite its relative lack of media attention, both the Labour and Conservative manifestos recognise skills policy as central to the UK’s future prosperity.

Continue reading “Technical skills: How do the election manifestos compare?”

How a lack of technical skills may be holding back the West Midlands economy

Recent analysis by the Centre suggests that the economy is being held back by a lack of key technical skills, with as many as 43% of vacancies for technical roles categorised as skills shortage vacancies.

 

Earlier this month, in the latest step along a path of regional devolution designed to drive local economic growth across the country, metro mayors were elected in six of the UK’s new combined authorities. In the West Midlands, Conservative Party candidate Andy Street narrowly beat Labour’s Siôn Simon to become the city region’s first elected mayor.

Continue reading “How a lack of technical skills may be holding back the West Midlands economy”

0

How LEPs can ensure apprenticeships drive inclusive growth

As the new Apprenticeship Levy comes into effect, Centre analyst Andy Norman argues that, if armed with the right information, LEPs can ensure apprenticeships drive inclusive growth up and down the country.

Continue reading “How LEPs can ensure apprenticeships drive inclusive growth”

How skills policy can energise the modern industrial strategy

To solve the technical skills shortage and energise the industrial strategy, the government must empower prospective students and technical course providers with the data they need to make the right choices

The failure of successive governments to design and implement effective reforms to technical education in the UK has been well documented. Its legacy, according to the current government, is a complex, confusing system of technical education which ‘does not deliver either for individuals, for the skills needs of employers, or for the wider economy’.

Continue reading “How skills policy can energise the modern industrial strategy”