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Stuart Gentle Publisher at Onrec

Autumn Budget - Comment from totaljobs

By totaljobs’ HR Director, David Clift

“The focus on skills came across loud and clear in today’s budget. Chancellor Philip Hammond’s assessment that ‘backing skills is key to unlocking growth nationally’ recognises the need to bridge a skills gap, and invest in areas outside of London.”

“The move to create a new National Centre for Computing and triple the number of computer science teachers is a positive step in the right direction to address a recognised national skills shortage in computing. The announcement follows recent reports that more than half of England’s secondary schools did not offer GCSE computer science in 2015-16.

“At the same time the Chancellor’s boost to investment in maths will help future-proof the workforce, whilst the investment in the construction sector will also help address a skills gap ahead of the UK’s exit from the EU. 

“A greater provision for retraining during working life is another forward-thinking step - and one that is very much in line with the trend that sees millennials more inclined to ‘job hop’ than previous generations.

“Overall, Chancellor Philip Hammond’s budget has wide-reaching implications for training and employment – and a much needed strategy to bridging the skills gap.”