This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/education/6209212.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Skills training 'needs shake-up' | Skills training 'needs shake-up' |
| (20 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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: | By this date Lord Leitch wants to see: |
| 95% of adults gain basic skills in literacy and numeracy | 95% of adults gain basic skills in literacy and numeracy |
| More than 90% of adults with GCSEs or vocational equivalents | More than 90% of adults with GCSEs or vocational equivalents |
| Apprenticeships boosted to 500,000 a year | Apprenticeships boosted to 500,000 a year |
| More than 40% of adults to get degrees or higher level qualifications. | More than 40% of adults to get degrees or higher level qualifications. |
| The prize for this achievement is huge, the report says. | 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. | 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 the 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 | 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. | 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 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." |
| 'Serious consequences' | |
| TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: "The clock is ticking for the one in three employers who fail to train." | |
| He added that Lord Leitch's call on employers to publicly pledge their commitment to increase skills sent a strong message to those employers who short change staff, and the UK economy, by refusing to train. | |
| Deputy General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders Mark Ward said employability was a very important aspect of the education. | 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 the exams system often worked against efforts to give students these. | |
| 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. |