Devolution and evolution in UK skills policy: Finding common ground across the four nations

The skills systems of the four UK nations have seen increasing divergence in recent years, especially after the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in 2017 and subsequent reforms. This report sets the context of longstanding megatrends impacting the UK’s world of work (like industrial change or the ageing population), arguing that skills development policy is the key policy lever needed in response. It compares and summarises current labour market and skills challenges across the four nations as well as employer approaches to training, and provides an overview of key public policy developments.

The second half of the report focuses on our apprenticeship systems.