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Skills training 'needs shake-up' | Skills training 'needs shake-up' |
(19 minutes later) | |
A radical change in the way young people and adults are trained is needed to plug the skills gap and stop Britain lagging behind, a key report has said. | A radical change in the way young people and adults are trained is needed to plug the skills gap and stop Britain lagging behind, a key report has said. |
Recommendations in Lord Leitch's government-commissioned review include making it compulsory to stay in education until the age of 18. | |
He wants all British adults to double their skills achievements by 2020. | He wants all British adults to double their skills achievements by 2020. |
Employers should have more say over training and a new careers service should be created in England, he adds. | Employers should have more say over training and a new careers service should be created in England, he adds. |
He also warned there were too many qualifications, many with few benefits. | He also warned there were too many qualifications, many with few benefits. |
'Lingering decline' | 'Lingering decline' |
The report warns that even if current targets are met, skills in the UK will still lag behind comparable countries in 2020. | The report warns that even if current targets are met, skills in the UK will still lag behind comparable countries in 2020. |
Lord Leitch said: "Without increased skills, we would condemn ourselves to a lingering decline in competitiveness, diminishing economic growth and a bleaker future for all. The case for action is compelling and urgent." | Lord Leitch said: "Without increased skills, we would condemn ourselves to a lingering decline in competitiveness, diminishing economic growth and a bleaker future for all. The case for action is compelling and urgent." |
The report makes clear that in the light of the huge challenge from growing economies such as China and India, the UK cannot afford to stand still. | |
He says that despite progress, parts of the UK's skills base remain weaker than those of other developed nations. | |
The report points out that 5 million adults lack functional literacy and more than 17 million have difficulties with numbers. | |
More than one in six youngsters leave school unable to read, write or add up properly, it adds. | |
The report urges ministers to commit to a "compelling new vision" and to become a world leader in skills by 2020. | |
By this date Lord Leitch wants to see: | |
95% of adults gain basic skills in literacy and numeracy | |
More than 90% of adults with GCSEs or vocational equivalents | |
Apprenticeships boosted to 500,000 a year | |
More than 40% of adults to get degrees or higher level qualifications. | |
The prize for this achievement is huge, the report says. | |
Not only will society become more prosperous and productive, with lower unemployment and levels of poverty and inequality, but there will be a net financial benefit of £80 billion over three years, it adds. | |
The Association of Colleges, which represents 400 further education institutions, backed a plan to extend education and training for everyone up to the age of 18. | The Association of Colleges, which represents 400 further education institutions, backed a plan to extend education and training for everyone up to the age of 18. |
Employers across all sectors must be involved if we are to close the enormous skills gaps that are threatening future competitiveness Mark FisherSector Skills Development Agency | |
It was a disgrace that 200,000 young people were out of work or in jobs with no training, it said. | |
AoC chief executive Dr John Brennan said colleges wanted a constructive solution which would allow individual as well as business needs to be met. | AoC chief executive Dr John Brennan said colleges wanted a constructive solution which would allow individual as well as business needs to be met. |
He added: "If Leitch is right, and a dramatic expansion in the nation's skills base is required, this should not be at the expense of individuals' opportunities, but a radical rethink of how everyone - employers, the state and individuals themselves, should invest." | |
Mark Fisher, chief executive of the Sector Skills Development Agency, said the report recognised that employers must be "in the driving seat of workforce development". | Mark Fisher, chief executive of the Sector Skills Development Agency, said the report recognised that employers must be "in the driving seat of workforce development". |
"It is vital that employers across all sectors must be involved if we are to close the enormous skills gaps that are threatening future competitiveness." | "It is vital that employers across all sectors must be involved if we are to close the enormous skills gaps that are threatening future competitiveness." |
It is crucial that the provision of skills and training is simplified and "grounded in employer needs", he added. | It is crucial that the provision of skills and training is simplified and "grounded in employer needs", he added. |
Deputy General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders Mark Ward said employability was a very important aspect of the education. | |
Soft skills such as team working and good communications skills were also wanted by employers. | |
But he warned that the exams system often worked against efforts to give students these. | |
'Economic consequences' | 'Economic consequences' |
A coalition of 32 organisations from across adult learning have written to Gordon Brown warning that the failure to fund adult learning for all will have serious economic consequences. | A coalition of 32 organisations from across adult learning have written to Gordon Brown warning that the failure to fund adult learning for all will have serious economic consequences. |
Led by the national homelessness charity, Crisis, they say that the government's current strategy is failing adults, particularly disadvantaged adults. | Led by the national homelessness charity, Crisis, they say that the government's current strategy is failing adults, particularly disadvantaged adults. |
The charity's chief executive Leslie Morphy said: "Courses are closing, teachers are being made redundant and the focus on adults achieving vocational qualifications is ignoring what can be achieved through wider learning." | |
Fashion designer Jasper Conran said the UK is at a disadvantage because it has never had the skilled production infrastructure to maximise potential and called for continued investment in training. | |