As our new report highlights, the potential benefits of localised decision-making are clear: greater responsiveness to local economic needs, closer alignment with employers, and the ability to innovate at pace. A key insight we have gleaned in the development of this report is that our current approach to devolution may be delegating responsibility to areas that are simply too small to be effective on their own.

Read the full report here.

International comparisons with countries such as Germany, India, and Ireland show that successful skills systems strike a balance between national coherence and regional flexibility. Countries like Germany, India and USA with devolved structures, but within a strong national framework that ensures consistency, quality, and mobility. England, by contrast, is devolving skills policy to areas with an average population of just 1.5 million - far smaller than the regions or states used in other countries and even smaller than devolved nations within the UK itself.

As the report explores in detail, this fragmentation risks undermining the very goals devolution seeks to achieve. Without a robust national framework, we face duplication of effort, increased bureaucracy, and confusion for learners, employers, and providers alike. More importantly, we risk losing sight of the bigger picture: the need to equip our workforce with sustainable skills that meet both local and global demands.

The reality of travel-to-work areas and ‘natural’ local economies must be central to our thinking. Skills do not exist in isolation - they are shaped by commuting patterns, regional industries, national sector priorities, and cross-border collaboration. A strong national framework must therefore link neighbouring areas, enabling them to work together rather than in silos. This is not about centralisation, but about coordination.

Our report calls for the establishment of a UK-wide Skills Standards and Accreditation Body. This body would ensure that occupational standards are consistent, high-quality, and internationally benchmarked. It would also provide the quality assurance needed to maintain the reputation of the UK skills system globally. In a world increasingly shaped by AI, Net Zero, and rapid technological change, our standards must be world-class - enabling UK businesses to compete and UK citizens to thrive.

We also advocate for a National Skills Strategy that aligns with the sectorial approach in the Industrial Strategy and reflects the needs of all parts of the UK. This strategy must be informed by local voices, but it must also provide a clear vision and direction. It should encompass the entire education and training system: from new entrants to the workforce, to those seeking to upskill or re-enter employment.

Sectors and employers must also be at the heart of this strategy. Their insights, both at national and regional levels, are essential to shaping provision that is relevant and future-proof. Sector-wide engagement, across SMEs and large organisations alike, will ensure that the skills system reflects the real needs of the economy.

Ultimately, consistency is key. We must reduce bureaucracy, not increase it. We must empower regions, not isolate them. And we must ensure that every learner, regardless of where they live, has access to high-quality training that prepares them for a changing world.

The UK has a proud history of skills development. But to remain competitive, we must evolve. Devolution offers a powerful opportunity, but only if it is underpinned by a coherent, coordinated national framework. Let us learn from international best practice, and build a system that is agile, inclusive, and fit for the future.

Read the full report now.