Responding to the Keep Britain Working Review published on Wednesday 5 November, Elizabeth Gerard, Deputy Director at Learning and Work Institute, said:
The Mayfield Review is right to say that the world of work needs to change as the number of people with long-term health conditions and disabilities increases, and as our population ages. Employers need to do more to help people stay in work and return to work, and we know that when employers get it right, it benefits everybody. The Review is also right to say that doing better needs to be led by employers, most of whom want to do the right thing, and based on evidence and the business case. While the focus on building a stronger evidence base is welcome, we need more urgent and concrete action too, for example to improve employer incentives, support and requirements, the fit note process and benefit system. The Review represents a start but it’s time for a step change.
These numbers also mask substantial inequalities within construction. Women account for only 10 per cent of starts in construction apprenticeships so far this year, compared to 51 per cent of apprenticeships overall. In addition, this year only 9 per cent of construction starts are by individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds, with particularly big disparities for apprentices from black or Asian backgrounds.
The following years therefore present a unique opportunity to not only further boost apprenticeship numbers in the construction sector, but to expand their reach to wider groups. The new Government should work with employers and providers to seize this.
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