The Key Points and Facts

Category
 Labour Party
 Conservative Party
Post-16 Education Strategy
 Labour plans to introduce a comprehensive post-16 education strategy to integrate FE and HE better, guaranteeing training, apprenticeships, or help finding work for all 18- to 21-year-olds. They aim to address skills shortages and ensure a highly trained workforce through Skills England, which will coordinate efforts between businesses, training providers, unions, and the government.
 The Conservatives focus on providing skills and opportunities through a new model of National Service and promise 100,000 high-quality apprenticeships. They emphasise vocational training over traditional university routes and highlight their past efforts in increasing apprenticeships and setting up Institutes of Technology.
Apprenticeships and Skills Funding
 Labour intends to reform the existing Apprenticeship Levy into a more flexible Growth and Skills Levy. This reform aims to make the levy more adaptable to the economy's changing needs and ensure that funding is available for a wider range of training opportunities. They also propose devolving adult skills funding to local authorities for better regional control and tailoring of skills training to local needs.
 The Conservative Party also aims to increase the number of apprenticeships by 100,000 annually. They propose funding this increase by closing university courses with poor outcomes, thus protecting students from ineffective programs. They emphasise reformed student loans and the introduction of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement to support training, retraining, and upskilling throughout an individual’s career.
Higher Education
 Labour pledges to continue supporting access to university for every qualified individual and to improve university standards and teaching quality. They recognise the need to secure a sustainable future for higher education, integrating it more effectively with further education.
 While the Conservatives also touch on higher education, their focus is more on redirecting students from university paths that do not yield positive outcomes. They aim to ensure universities deliver the promised contact hours and mark exams properly, enhancing the value and effectiveness of higher education.
Youth Guarantee and Work Experience
 Labour promises a youth guarantee for all 18- to 21-year-olds, ensuring access to training, apprenticeships, or job support, coupled with a guarantee of two weeks of work experience for every young person. They also aim to improve career advice in schools and colleges.
 Although not explicitly matching Labour’s youth guarantee, the Conservatives emphasise the role of the National Citizen Service in helping young people develop skills and confidence. They also mention initiatives like Skills Bootcamps to address skills shortages.
Innovation and Business Growth
 Labour plans to support innovation through a National Data Library and by offering ten-year budgets for R&D institutions, fostering long-term partnerships and financial stability. They aim to make Britain an attractive place for business, particularly focusing on sectors like AI and net zero.
 The manifesto does not detail similar specific initiatives for fostering innovation but does discuss broad economic policies and tax reforms intended to support business growth and financial security for working people. They advocate for sound money and low taxes as fundamental principles to foster business and economic development.
Sector Reaction
 Sector responses highlight appreciation for Labour’s focus on integrating FE and HE and the flexible approach to the Apprenticeship Levy. However, there is a call for more detail on funding and policies to ensure these plans are effectively implemented.
 Reactions to the Conservative manifesto note a lack of new ideas and a focus on continuing existing policies, which some see as insufficient to address ongoing challenges in education and skills training. Critics point to the need for more substantial reforms and investment to truly enhance the sector.


What are your thoughts on both parties' policies after reading through them all? Are there any standouts or things you completely disagree with, why not get a discussion going with your fellow apprentices to see what their thoughts are?