Seven and a half million training places have been made available in an attempt to fulfil a government promise of "British jobs for British workers".
Seven and a half million training places have been made available in an attempt to fulfil a government promise of "British jobs for British workers".
The plan to upgrade the skills of England's workforce includes 3.5m basic literacy and numeracy courses.
The plan to upgrade the skills of England's workforce includes 3.5m basic literacy and numeracy courses.
Overall skill levels must improve regardless of the influx of migrants, Skills Secretary John Denham said.
Overall skill levels must improve regardless of the influx of migrants, Skills Secretary John Denham said.
But critics say the creation of such basic training classes points to a failure of the education system.
But critics say the creation of such basic training classes points to a failure of the education system.
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.
Under the plan, which will be rolled out in England 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 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.
There will also be an extra 95,000 places for people who do not 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.
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.
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.
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 Denham said, referring to the growing problem of young people who are not in education, employment or training.
"There is a real problem that we haven't yet managed to tackle," Mr Denham 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 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.
Mr Denham 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.
The chief spokesman for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Stephen Alambritis said it was the education system that needed to change.
The chief spokesman for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Stephen Alambritis said it was the education system that needed to change.
"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.
"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 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.
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.
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.
"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."
"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.
