Speaking from the 2025 Labour Party Annual Conference in Liverpool, Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade director general Marco Forgione responded to prime minister Sir Keir Starmer's address:
"The message we hear time and again from businesses across all sectors is that a key hurdle to them growing their business is access to skilled workers. International trade is a key driver of economic growth in nations and regions, and a pipeline of talent is imperative to continue our strong trading reputation on the world stage.
"Yesterday's announcement by the prime minister on driving more investment into 16-19 education - including the creation of new technical excellence colleges - is a step in the right direction. For a long time, greater parity has been needed between all educational routes and the new ambition that two-thirds of young people should go either to university, or take on a 'gold standard' apprenticeship, finally gives apprenticeships the recognition they deserve.
"With our subsidiary IOEx Foundation providing trade-related apprenticeships already, we know just how valuable they are, both to young people learning trades but also to businesses building their future workforces.
"UK businesses – whether young or old, goods or services focused, with traditional strengths or exploring the boundaries of new horizons – need the joint approach that the prime minister outlined in his speech: government and business working together on industrial policy. We look forward to continuing to meaningfully engage with the government as they drive these ambitions forward, to seek the best possible outcomes for our members."
