A major new skills initiative for adults has been launched by government to make British business more competitive. World Class Skills will help four million adults learn essential skills, such as basic literacy and numeracy, over the next three years, to raise the nation’s global standing by 2020.
The initiative is a response to the Leitch Report from December 2006, which discovered that the UK was suffering from skills disadvantage, costing billions and needing urgent remedy.
The report revealed that more than a third of adults in the UK do not have a basic school leaving qualification, which is double the figure of both Canada and Germany, and that one in six adults do not possess basic literacy skills.
Prime minister Gordon Brown stated that World Class Skills will “help employers harness the skills they need” to create a more prosperous British society. Employers will benefit by having the opportunity to develop vocational qualifications for their sector, and should also find it easier to have their own training programmes accredited.
Response to the implementation of the Review has been largely positive, but debate now focuses on how to proceed.
Natalie Evans, head of policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said the report is a step in the right direction, but there is a risk of “diverting resources into paper chasing.”
Research conducted by the BCC revealed that many companies already train their staff, so it is important that the government initiative does not leave the employer feeling patronised.
Equally, Lord Leitch is “delighted” with progress so far, but believes that the government working closely with employers is key to long-term success.
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2007
