CIPD welcomes closer alignment of skills and business agendas

CIPD welcomes closer alignment of skills and business agendas but questions timing of a departmental restructure

Responding to the Prime Ministerís reshuffle announced today, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) welcomes closer alignment of skills and business agendas but questions the timing of a departmental restructure.

John Philpott, Public Policy Director says:

ìWe welcome the opportunity to work with Lord Mandelson and his team on the crucial skills challenges that will shape the UKís ability to thrive well beyond this current downturn. However, although there are definite merits in aligning the skills agenda even more closely with the business agenda, we despair at yet another change in the Governmentís departmental structures for skills. Now is surely not the time to be embarking on yet another reorganisation of the civil service teams responsible for supporting businesses and individuals in boosting skills.

ìThe biggest challenge in raising skills and boosting UK productivity is ensuring leadership and management skills are up to scratch. The constant reorganisation of ministers, departments and agencies responsible for delivering the skills agenda itself is not setting a great example in this regard.î