Commenting on the IoD Director Generalís speech to the Institute of Economic Affairs, Alex Curling, spokeswoman for the Sector Skills Development Agency said:
Skills shortages and skills gaps experienced by UK employers do restrict the development of an effective and productive workforce. With skills shortages concentrated at the intermediate level jobs in skilled trades or in associate professional or technical occupations, it is clear that there remains a crucial skills challenge to be tackled.
The key in any plans to boost the UKís productivity lies in engaging employers in the development and implementation of effective action. Employer leadership and ownership of the skills agenda is essential in bringing about real change - it is the only way of making sure that the skills the UK economy needs are the skills which the system is supplying.
Skills for Business - the new network of employer-led Sector Skills Councils - has been tasked by the government with informing and influencing policy on training and skills development relating to productivity. Sector Skills Councils have a key role to play by gathering labour market intelligence and understanding future skills needs, employment patterns and demographic trends and making the business case to employers so they can ensure their policies and practices are sufficient to deal with potential labour shortfalls.
Despite still being in their infancy, Sector Skills Councils are already engaging with directors and employers from all the major sectors of the economy who have agreed to come together and find a solution to the problem. Through the establishment of the network, we are not only working to ensure that the UK workforce has all the skills needed by employers, but also that the skills of the existing UK workforce are used effectively.
Skills gaps experienced by UK employers restrict the development of effective workforce
IoD Director Generalís speech to the Institute of Economic Affairs
