Background
Developing technical workforce skills for a stronger economy
We focus on strengthening technical skills across the workforce – supporting qualifications and apprenticeships that lead to technician roles, connecting education with industry, and championing the vital role of technicians in driving innovation and growth.
We believe that a strong, highly skilled technical workforce is vital to the UK’s economic strength and future productivity. Gatsby partners with others in the sector to anticipate emerging skills needs – supporting policies and initiatives that help people upskill, retrain, and progress in their careers.
We champion the vital role of Technicians in the workforce, advocating for better training, clear career pathways and recognition across sectors. Apprenticeships are central to this work, and we support efforts to improve both their quality and their availability. We also fund small-scale research and pilots that expand access in emerging sectors, and boost uptake among SMEs.
By identifying emerging skills early, government, employers and educators can work together to ensure that training programmes are responsive and future focused. This approach helps bridge technical and essential skills gaps before they become barriers to growth and innovation. Gatsby supports work to develop processes for identifying emerging skills and ensuring that these inform occupational standards and the training that is derived from them.
Apprenticeships
We commission research and make recommendations on how to improve the apprenticeship system and increase the number of apprenticeships available.
Connecting education with industry
Gatsby helps connect young people to new sectors, upskills businesses, and supports university research partnerships.
FE supporting business innovation
Supporting further education colleges to foster innovation, and help businesses develop and scale their products and services.
Supporting Technicians
Our goal is not simply to raise the profile of technician roles but to ensure they are supported by strong, resilient pathways and policy.
Featured reports
A Model Local Skills Plan (LSIP)
A model skills plan for Employer Representative Bodies (ERBs), with a particular focus on how Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) can support the future development of publicly-funded technical education for their place.
Author(s)
James Farr, Richard Guy
The Muesli Effect : A divided construction sector
In construction, small and micro businesses struggle to access apprenticeship benefits, while larger firms rise. This report by Henry Fenby-Taylor draws on literature and interviews to explore this “muesli effect.”
Author(s)
Henry Fenby-Taylor
Closing the Retrofit Skills Gap
An analysis of local skills improvement plan progress updates, and interviews with training providers.
Author(s)
Charlotte Ravenscroft
An exploratory study of employers’ recruitment practices
A small-scale study exploring employers’ use of qualifications - particularly technical and vocational qualifications - within the recruitment process.
Author(s)
Megan Lucus, Suzanne Straw
From LEPs to ERBs: Strategies for Addressing Technician Skills Shortages
How local employer bodies might alleviate the persistent shortage of skilled technicians and its ramifications for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Author(s)
Tara Shirazi
External links
Promoting careers in technicians fields
A campaign to ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.
Accelerating and advancing UK technical skills and careers
Actively advocating for the technical community in higher education, research and innovation.
Demystifying the Education Landscape for employers
A skilled workforce drives business success. The Education Landscape: A Guide for Employers helps businesses understand the education and skills system and uncover new opportunities.