Following recommendations outlined in the transport infrastructure skills strategy (TISS) in 2016, of getting a highly skilled, diverse workforce in place to meet ambitious levels of investment in transport infrastructure, the Strategic Transport Apprenticeship Taskforce (STAT) was created.

STAT is a voluntary, cross-sector transport industry body that is responsible for increasing apprenticeship numbers and training, resolving skills shortages, promoting transport as a career and increasing sector diversity. STAT reports on progress through its annual reports.

Key work areas going forward include:

• delivering high-quality apprenticeships and traineeships across the industry, ensuring a skilled workforce is in place to deliver an ambitious programme of investment that it meets future skills needs
• improving the diversity of the workforce, ensuring that transport careers are available and accessible to everyone, regardless of their background
• supporting those who have become unemployed in areas of the industry most affected by COVID-19 into jobs in growth sectors, ensuring they have access to retraining and upskilling where needed