Unlocking investment in skills

The CBI has responded to the government’s consultation on the introduction of a Lifelong Loan Entitlement (LLE) from 2025. On behalf of business, the CBI has supported initiatives that can help stimulate investment in skills and help individuals retrain/upskill to fill skills shortages. 

The Lifelong Loan Entitlement offers the opportunity for businesses and individuals to prioritise training and increase investment in skills. 

Key messages from our response:  

• Have built-in flexibility for modules to be co-funded with employers and for employers to fund converting a module into a full qualification.
• Encourage a culture of lifelong learning beyond levels 4-6, to help workers increase their confidence in investing in learning throughout their lifetime. 
• Ensure learners have clear pathways and funding routes which would encourage learners to progress to levels 4-6.
• Expand the scope in which the Lifelong Loan Entitlement could be used to fund modular learning in existing qualifications.
• Local Skills Improvement Plans must provide a structure for Lifelong Loan Entitlement to serve local employer skill needs.