The STAT is an employer-led group to help the transport sector address skills challenges and take forward the government’s commitment to treble the number of apprenticeships in the transport sector by 2020. 

STAT members met recently with stakeholders to share best practice and discuss priorities for the group. Work could include collaborating to support the development and uptake of quality transport apprenticeships in client organisations and through the supply chain.  

The task force will also be actively encouraging young people and mid-career changers and returners to consider a rewarding career in transport, dispelling the outdated stereotype that work in the sector necessarily means men in hard hats and hi-vis, and highlighting the full range of cutting edge roles that will appeal to a diversity of people. Its work will support the Institute for Apprenticeships, to ensure consistency with other sectors. 

Transport Minister Lord Ahmad said: I have seen for myself the enthusiasm in young people for planes, trains and automobiles, and I am determined that the government’s record investment in transport helps transform childhood fascinations into lifelong careers.” 

The Department for Transport committed to the task force in its Transport infrastructure skills strategy, published in January 2016, which set out how it plans to create 30,000 apprenticeships in the transport sector by 2020. The strategy also set an ambition for 20% of new entrants to engineering and technical apprenticeships in the transport sector to be women by 2020, and a 20% increase in the number of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) candidates undertaking apprenticeships by the same period.