This is a major change for our country and inevitably there will be a great period of uncertainty for some time. The thing we must do now is be calm, respect the decision of the electorate and get on with making this work for the benefit of all our communities. We all know the risks; we must work out how to mitigate them.

The result was followed by an expected significant economic shock, with the pound falling and the London Stock Market opening 8% down on Friday. It will be some time before the UK is likely to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.

Amidst all this change and uncertainty NOCN believes that there is one clear message. The need to improve the skills and productivity in our economy is even more important than it was before the EU Referendum.

That means we need to continue to focus on apprenticeships – if not speed up the programme. However, we do need a change in priorities to also invest in upskilling both the existing workforce and those not in work.

NOCN will continue to work to help all sections of our society to gain the skills they need and prosper in a challenging world.