Research: Skills England annual skills report and Sectoral Skills Needs Assessments 2026

The annual skills report sets out the key challenges facing England’s skills system in 2026 and how Skills England is responding. It highlights the need for a more flexible, employer-led and evidence-driven system to address skills shortages, support young people, and align training with economic priorities.

The Sectoral Skills Needs Assessments (SNAs) provide an overall view of current and future demand for skills, map pathways from courses to occupations, and identify where current provision can be developed to meet skills needs.

Across 10 priority sectors, the assessments combine sector-specific job projections from other government departments, with Skills England’s internal analysis to draw conclusions on skills demand and supply.