2022 promises to start either very well, or with some gloom, as we wait for the impact of the Covid-19 Omicron variant to become clear. Scientists are learning more every day about this variant, however I must emphasise that there is one thing we already know for sure: right now, our single best defence against Omicron is vaccination. Early research from Pfizer suggests that a third dose of their vaccine neutralised the Omicron variant to levels similar to the impact of two doses against the original strain of coronavirus.
But although Covid-19 has dominated our lives, businesses and incomes for the best part of two years, we must try to look ahead to 2022 with more than a sense of foreboding. The vaccine programme is working to protect millions of people, we have adopted and adapted our working styles to make the most of working from home or the office and, as much as possible we must try to live our lives as normal.
In the last year, I have become the Minister for Skills in the Department of Education and have scaled the sharpest learning curve I can remember in the last three months. My first job as Minister has been to steer the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill through its first stages in Parliament. This Bill aims to ensure we are providing the education and training to give people the skills they need to do the jobs they want to do, and to boost the economy
The Government consulted with employers in 2019 and found many were unable to fill jobs because those in the jobs market did not have the necessary skills. The Bill will also make it a legal requirement for colleges to work with local employers to make sure training is meeting the skills needs of employers and local economies.
It’s a big Bill to bring to Parliament and I look forward to all it will do for education and training in 2022.
Written for Vision Magazine January 2022
