The Apprentice (and other ideas…)
Thursday, June 14th, 2007
At a breakfast yesterday morning we all agreed that if Britain is to retain its role as one of the world’s leading economies, we need to address one of the problems which threatens to put that reputation as risk – our “skills shortage”.
Last year, Lord Leitch’s Review of Skills Report concluded that “our nation’s skills are not world-class. We run the risk that this will undermine the UK’s long term prosperity. Productivity continues to trail many of our international competitors.” The facts speak for themselves: we have 5 million adults who cannot read or write properly and 17 million adults who problems with numbers. The number of 16 to 18 year olds not in education, employment or training has risen by 40% since 1997.
This is why the Economic Competitiveness Policy Group, set up by David Cameron and chaired by John Redwood has been examining the skills problem in this country and this week published a policy submission entitled “Skills Training for a More Competitive Economy” which is available in full on their website http://www.competitivechallenge.com
It is a thoughtful and insightful consideration of the issues and what we need to put in place so that we can continue to compete globally. The vision entails “significant cultural and social change, including breaking down the current distinction that is made between general and vocational education and the attendant class prejudices.”
They have made a series of recommendations including:
Taxpayer’s money should be allocated in accordance with choices made by the trainees and not the providers
A national Careers Advisory Service that is highly visible to aspiring trainees
Bolstering the Sector Skills Councils (SSCs)
Professionalising apprenticeships and bringing them under the control of employers