Tackle skills shortage

During the education debate Unite assistant general secretary Tony Burke spoke of the post-16 education system that is failing young people today and urged delegates to build a long-term plan to tackle the skills shortage problem we are faced with.

“I second this motion to highlight the need for a new skills eco-system in post-16 education,” he said.

“We’ve allowed career services to disappear in schools, replaced with a focus on academia that has led to a skills shortage in manufacturing.

“I know of one automotive company who is begging people to stay on beyond retirement because they had not taken on any new apprentices.

“We have to ensure that our campaign generates a skilled manufacturing workforce.

“We have a long way to go, but let’s support the motion and give these young people a future.”

Delegates voted unanimously to carry the motion.