Blog posts for tag:skills gap

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England’s young people near the bottom of the basic skills global league table

By Andrew Gladstone-Heighton, Policy Leader, Wednesday 09 October 2013

Andrew Gladstone-Heighton

Influential think tank the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has released the results of its recent skills survey of adults in the wealthier economies of the world… and the outcome for England gives cause for concern. The survey warns that in England, adults aged 55 to 65 perform better than 16 to 24 year olds at foundation levels of literacy and numeracy (it’s the only country in the developed world where the generation approaching retirement is more literate and numerate than the youngest adults). Out of the 24 nations surveyed, young adults in England rank 22nd for literacy and 21st for numeracy.

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Headlines from the Party Conference Season

By Andrew Gladstone-Heighton, Policy Leader, Thursday 03 October 2013

Andrew Gladstone-Heighton

In direct contrast to last year, Apprenticeships and the ‘Skills Gap’ are very much at the forefront of political thinking at the moment, as a solution to the 1 million + unemployed young people. They’ve been discussed more this conference season than ever before! Terms like ‘parity of esteem’ between vocational and academic qualifications, and ‘employer input and ownership’ are on the lips of politicians across the traditional political divide.

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Closing the skills gap

By David Grailey, Chief Executive, Wednesday 14 August 2013

David Grailey

The UK risks failing to close its "chronic skills gaps" by continuing to push young people towards the university "default route", according to business leaders. A recent report from CBI suggests that a growing demand for high level technical skills cannot be met by traditional university courses alone, and it’s important for teens to consider apprenticeships as a viable alternative. The report states that we must “widen gateways into skilled work and promote routes to higher skills that appeal to individuals for whom a degree may not be the best option." Vince Cable, Business Secretary, agrees “a credible alternative to university is needed to help young people get the skills that the economy needs”

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UK employers want more control over training

By Lindsay Plumpton, Communications Leader, Tuesday 02 July 2013

Lindsay Plumpton

According to a recent survey for the Confederation of British Industry, 93% of 294 firms felt they knew best what employee skills they needed and would like qualifications to be better tailored to their needs. Almost half of those surveyed (45%) stated that many applicants with the right skills did not have the right mindset for work, while 39% said they often lacked any general work experience. The survey also revealed that 62% of organisations are worried about poor computing skills, 55% about literacy and 51% about numeracy.

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