High Peak MP Robert Largan backed the new Lifetime Skills Guarantee in the House of Commons, urging the Education Secretary to go further and ensure support is targeted towards sectors essential to delivering infrastructure projects.

The Lifetime Skills Guarantee will provide adults in England without an A-Level or equivalent qualification from April the opportunity to take up a free, fully funded college course. Alongside this, higher education loans will become more flexible, allowing people to space out their study across their lifetimes and take more high-quality vocational courses.

Robert Largan MP asked:

“I welcome the lifetime skills guarantee, which, if done properly, could be a game changer in the life chances for a huge number of people across the country. 

“May I urge the Secretary of State to ensure that his policies announced today are targeted in a way that makes sure that we have the skills needed in vital areas such as construction, engineering, quarrying, telecommunications and broadband roll-out, so that we can get on and deliver the infrastructure investment that is so badly needed in places such as High Peak?”

In response, the Education Secretary agreed and emphasised the Government’s decision to adopt a targeted approach, matching skills to the needs of employers and young people in local areas.

Robert Largan MP commented:

“I am determined to do everything I can to help boost the life chances of people from across High Peak. 

“Opening up access to skills through lifelong learning can create new opportunities and well-paid jobs in the sectors we need to help build back better.

“The new Lifetime Skills Guarantee is a positive step forward, but more can be done to help people get the skills they need at each stage of their career. I will continue pushing ministers to expand education for all.”