PwC’s chief people officer, Phillippa O’Connor, comments on the Post-16 Skills White Paper:

“Talent comes in many forms, and the Post-16 White Paper’s emphasis on flexible pathways, whether through apprenticeships, technical routes or degrees, reflects the reality of how people enter and grow in today’s workplace.  

“As a skills-enabled organisation, we’ve adapted our own entry routes to prioritise skills and potential over traditional credentials - ensuring opportunity reaches further and we are building an inclusive workplace. The White Paper’s commitment to modular learning and employer collaboration aligns with our own efforts to create meaningful careers and lifelong learning opportunities.

“It’s not just about creating better pathways, but ensuring the system is producing the right skills, in the right places, at the right time. The real test will be whether change can bridge the gap between what business needs tomorrow and what education is delivering today. Business has a role to play in co-creating curricula and opening up real work-based learning opportunities will help deliver on these ambitions.”