Both the Education and Work & Pensions Select Committees took evidence on the importance skills training, improving careers guidance and preparing people to prosper as the world of work changes. As part of this drive to develop the skills of tomorrow the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education released guidance on its new quality mark for Higher Technical Qualifications and published six recommendations for improving the apprenticeship experience. Also with an eye to the future, Sir Keir Starmer, in his Leader’s address to the (virtual) Labour Party conference, made closing the education attainment gap one of his Party’s key priorities. And finally, back to the present, the Prime Minister made clear his government’s commitment to keeping schools, colleges and universities open during the winter. This is already facing a test as cases rise in and around universities.