The Strategic Transport Apprenticeship Taskforce (STAT) has published Transport Infrastructure Skills Strategy: Two years on, which shows how investment is helping to create apprenticeships and fill future skills gaps.
STAT is a voluntary, cross-sector industry body that has been given the responsibility for meeting targets for apprenticeships, sector diversity and promoting transport as a career. The taskforce was launched following recommendations outlined in the Department for Transport’s Transport infrastructure skills strategy.
The report highlights that almost 2,800 roads and rail apprentices started training in 2017-2018, representing a 33 per cent increase on the previous year, with over 5,000 new apprentices having started their training since 2016. It also sets out how up to 10,000 new apprenticeships will be created as a result of the Government’s decision to expand Heathrow.
Speaking at the launch of the report, Transport Minister Nusrat Ghani MP welcomed the 2,784 apprenticeships created in road and rail in the past year. She also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to creating 30,000 apprenticeships in road and rail bodies and increased diversity of the transport workforce, with a strong focus on encouraging more women and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people into the industry.
Commenting, the Minister said: “This report shows that significant government investment in transport is playing a key role in creating life-changing opportunities through its high quality apprenticeships – helping us lead the way in unlocking new jobs and ensuring this country has the skilled workforce it needs for the future.
“Although we are seeing evidence of better BAME representation in the sector, our ambitions are clear. From road to rail, maritime to aviation, we must all redouble our efforts to bring more women into technical and engineering roles, remove barriers, ensuring we bring talented people from all backgrounds together to tackle the skills gap.
“We are committed to strengthening links between employers in our sector and young people, particularly in the creative, innovative world of engineering through our Year of Engineering campaign. I look forward to even more apprentices starting brilliant careers in years to come.”
CECA is a supporter of the Year of Engineering campaign.