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The truth of it is that even if we meet our current skills targets, UK skills will But this can only happen if we do two things. First, we must
still lag well behind our competitors in 2020. We are running just to convince more employers and individuals of the need for, and the
stand still.
value of, skills acquisition. Second, schools, colleges, universities
and training providers must ensure that the qualifications, courses
The changing global pattern of economic advantage and prosperity
and curriculum they provide are ‘economically valuable’ i.e. that
represents the biggest economic change since the rise of the USA. A
they meet employers’, and therefore individuals’, needs and
relatively high wage economy like ours can only prosper if we move
support the development of the region’s economy.
up the value chain, producing more and more goods and
services with a high value added content, more
It is vital for employers across all sectors to be involved, if we are to
sophistication, and higher quality.
close the deep-seated and considerable skills gaps threatening our
This means constant innovation, the pursuit of new
future competitiveness. It is crucial, therefore, that the provision of
markets and keeping ahead of the game. And
skills and training is simplified, with a more streamlined system
that requires a constant supply of skilled,
grounded in employer demand.
adaptable, productive and committed
employees to build and sustain successful
So, what’s on offer to help us acquire the ‘world class’ skill levels we
businesses, highly paid jobs and economic
need?
prosperity for all.
• A new UK wide Commission for Employment and Skills, chaired by
Sir Mike Rake, the chair of BT, will strengthen the employer voice,
’Business as usual’ is simply not an
advise Government and assess the country’s progress to the
option. That would condemn us to slow
Leitch ambition.
relative decline, fewer jobs, poorer
salaries and lower living standards. • Reformed and re-licensed Sector Skills Councils will work with
We need to upskill, big time, and employers to raise their investment in Skills and ensure that the
quickly. So we must be much more qualifications and provision really do meet employer needs.
ambitious – for the region, for our
economy, for our business,
• ‘Train to Gain’ will provide a free brokerage service to enable
ourselves and, of course, for the
employers to access the skills provision they need at all levels,
skills we need.
offer free provision up to level 2, and subsidies towards provision
at level 3 and 4.
If the UK aimed to be in the top
eight most skilled countries in the
In addition there is the roll out of the new 14-19 Diplomas from this
world by 2020, and the South East
autumn; the establishment of sector based National Skills
succeeded in increasing it’s own skills Academies; a new standard for private and public training
levels in line with that ambition, we providers to demonstrate their responsiveness to employer needs
would need: nearly 300,000 more and for employers to be able to transparently see which providers
people with literacy skills; over 700,000
are excellent and responsive; and closer collaboration between
with improved numeracy skills; 800,000
Universities, employers and Sector Skills Councils to focus more on
more qualified to Level 2; over 250,000
workforce development.
more qualified to Level 3; and nearly
800,000 more people qualified at Level 4 or
Government has now demonstrated a substantial and much
above. That’s a daunting challenge and
needed commitment to the skills agenda. What we need now in
would require rates of progress at least double
2008 is to relentlessly and persuasively make the case for skills to
what which we are achieving today.
people and businesses and communicate what is on offer, what is
But if we achieved this ambition in the South East,
available, to assist them to meet the challenge and make the
what would it be worth? I estimate over a 30 year
change that is so necessary and so valuable. The future really is in
period it could add over £11 billion to regional income
our own hands. Grasp it now!
and lead to perhaps around 4,000 additional jobs.
Productivity could rise by around £1,800 per worker, creating
Source: Professor Mike Campbell, Director of Policy and
more competitive and successful businesses and a more
Research, UK Commission for Employment and Skills
prosperous regional economy for all.
www.ukces.org.uk
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