Seven and half million training places are being created after the prime minister promised to train "British workers for British jobs".
Seven and a half million training places are to be created in an attempt to fulfil the government's promise of "British jobs for British workers".
Over three years, ministers hope to set up 3.5m basic skills courses for those with poor educational qualifications.
The plan to upgrade the skills of England's workforce includes 3.5m basic literacy and numeracy courses.
The plans also include 120,000 new apprenticeships for the under-25s and 30,000 places for older workers.
Overall skill levels must improve regardless of the influx of migrants, Skills Secretary John Denham said.
No-one should be out of work because skilled migrants were easier to employ, Skills Secretary John Denham said.
But critics say the creation of such basic training classes points to a failure of the education system.
It is estimated that nearly a third of people of traditional working age in the UK are poorly qualified, and almost seven million have problems with numeracy or literacy.
Under the plan, which will be rolled out during the next three years, there will also be 120,000 new apprenticeships for the under-25s and 30,000 places for older workers.
There will be an extra 95,000 places for people who don't have five good GCSEs, to enable them to get those or equivalent vocational qualifications.
There will also be an extra 95,000 places for people who don't have five good GCSEs, to enable them to get those or equivalent vocational qualifications.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown made the job promise in high-profile speeches to both the Labour party conference and the TUC conference in September.
It is estimated that nearly a third of people of traditional working age in the UK are poorly qualified and almost seven million have problems with numeracy or literacy.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Denham said the government recognised that something had to be done to raise the employability of unskilled British workers.
"There is a real problem that we haven't yet managed to tackle," Mr Denhem said, referring to the growing problem of young people who are not in education, employment or training.
Back on benefits
Back on benefits
Raising the skills of the worst qualified is crucial to the government's Welfare to Work strategy. Billions of pounds have been spent on the various "New Deal" strategies to get people off benefits.
Raising the skills of the worst qualified is crucial to the government's Welfare to Work strategy. Billions of pounds have been spent on the various "New Deal" strategies to get people off benefits.
But many claimants are too poorly qualified to be able to get sustainable jobs. Almost half of Jobseeker's Allowance claimants who move into work are back on benefits within six months.
But many claimants are too poorly qualified to be able to get sustainable jobs. Almost half of Jobseeker's Allowance claimants who move into work are back on benefits within six months.
It will also help ensure that nobody here is unable to get a job because it is easier to employ a skilled or better qualified migrant worker John Denham, Universities and Skills Secretary
It will also help ensure that nobody here is unable to get a job because it is easier to employ a skilled or better qualified migrant worker John Denham, Universities and Skills Secretary
Mr Denham said: "For millions of people, skills and learning are the key to improving their lives - whether getting into and on at work, improving job prospects or simply putting more money into their pockets.
Mr Denhem told BBC News upgrading skills of the UK workforce was a necessity linked to staying competitive in the future, not just competition from foreign migrant workers.
"It will also help ensure that nobody here is unable to get a job because it is easier to employ a skilled or better qualified migrant worker."
The chief spokesman for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Stephen Alambritis said it was the education system that needed to change.
But many employers argue that problems of basic skills should be addressed in schools.
"When recruiting school leavers, over 40% of small businesses report problems with basic, low-level skills - such as literacy and numeracy, and soft skills - such as communication.
The chief spokesman for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Stephen Alambritis said: "When recruiting school leavers, over 40% of small businesses report problems with basic, low-level skills (such as literacy and numeracy) and soft skills (such as communication).
"The need for 3.5 million basic skills courses is an acknowledgement that the education system is not performing as it should."
"The FSB believes all of these skills need to be provided by the education system. The need for 3.5 million basic skills courses is an acknowledgement that the education system is not performing as it should."
Economic growth
Economic growth
There are also plans to increase the number of places on level three courses - the equivalent of A-levels. They will increase by 310,000 by the end of the decade.
There are also plans to increase the number of places on level three courses - the equivalent of A-levels. They will increase by 310,000 by the end of the decade.
Many of these courses are intended to be part-funded by employers through the "train to gain" initiative.
Many of these courses are intended to be part-funded by employers through the "train to gain" initiative.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber welcomed the plans.
Jack Dromey, deputy general secretary of the largest trade union, Unite, said there is a need in the British economy for skilled workers from both home and abroad.
"Increasing investment in skills will support economic growth and productivity, help employees to progress at work and provide more sustainable employment opportunities for those seeking work," he said.
"You need both, we should not pose one against the other. Here in Britain we have workers out of work and the government needs to help those workers back into work. We will also need the skills of migrant workers as well."
What is your reaction to these plans? Have you ever taken up an apprenticeship? Will this help businesses? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
What is your reaction to these plans? Have you ever taken up an apprenticeship? Will this help businesses? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
