AELP responds to Skills Minister stepping down

AELP responds to Skills Minister stepping down

Following the announcement that the Skills Minister, Rt Hon Robert Halfon MP will be standing down from government and as an MP at the next General Election, the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) has praised his commitment to the skills sector and technical education.

AELP has recognised the role Robert Halfon has had in championing social mobility through promoting skills programmes at all ages and all levels in order to both ensure there’s a ladder of opportunity and deliver the high end skills the economy needs through degree apprenticeships.

Commenting on Rt Hon Robert Halfon MP’s statement, Ben Rowland, AELP Chief Executive, said:

“We are sad to hear that the Skills Minister is planning to stand down at the next General Election, set to take place later this year. He is somebody that has spent his political career fighting for the skills sector.

AELP has seen first-hand how Robert Halfon has understood the important role independent training providers play in delivering high-quality skills provision right across the country. As a former Chair of the Education Select Committee, he had a phenomenal impact in promoting skills. As a Government Minister, he has championed apprenticeships every step of the way. He also deserves recognition for campaigning to open up apprenticeships for prisoners, his tireless work on introducing the Provider Access Legislation and the successful passage of the Skills and Post-16 Education Act in 2022. More recently we thank him for his support in championing an increase in funding for functional skills qualifications and the removal of co-investment for young people.

We need champions for the skills sector on all sides in Parliament, so it is a shame that Robert Halfon won’t be able to continue that work after the next election. However, it is clear that without his work over the last 15 years, the apprenticeship system would not be as strong as it currently is and everyone at AELP would like to wish him all the best for the future.”

The Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) is a national membership body, proudly representing its many member organisations. AELP members support thousands of businesses and millions of learners in England by delivering a wide range of training, vocational learning, and employability programmes.

For further information or interviews please contact Matt Strong, Communications Manager, AELP, on 07920 161685 or [email protected].