Skills England is seeking stakeholder feedback on occupational standards.

Occupational standards have played an important role in improving quality and matching training to employers’ needs. However, advances in technology and artificial intelligence, changing workforce demographics, evolving employer needs, and regional economic priorities are creating new demands on the skills system.

Through its Skills for Work programme, Skills England is considering how occupational standards and the training they underpin can better support growth, employers, places and young people.

Stakeholders are invited to consider the following:

• how well do occupational standards describe what’s needed for skilled work?
• how can they better support young people into jobs?
• do current occupational standards reflect what employers need?
• where should we simplify without compromising quality?
• how do we reflect what’s needed locally and regionally?
• how do we keep pace with future labour market trends, including artificial intelligence?

Read more about the consultation here. The feedback form can be accessed here.

Survey closes 11:59pm 16th October 2026. Please share your views with us by close of play on 13th October to inform the REA’s response.