The National Skills Forum Research Launch, chaired by Gordon Marsden, MP, took place on Tuesday 6th March.  The focus of the research was Adult Training: Focus and Funding in the Context of Changing UK Demographics, and Incentives to Train: Ensuring Employer Engagement.

Speakers included Chris Humphries, Director General, City & Guilds, who spoke about the importance of prioritising adults in skills policy, Ian Smith, Senior VP, Oracle UK, who provided the employer perspective and Mick Fletcher, Education Consultant, who expanded on the policy implications of the research findings. Bill Rammell MP, Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, gave the Government response.  

Chris Humphries referred to the findings of the research.  He spoke of a society where between 70-80% of the 2020 workforce will be people who are already in employment. Combined with an expected decline in 17-24 year olds of 600,000 between 2010 and 2020, he outlined the need to ensure that our education systems, whether in the public sector, private sector or education by employees, are suitable to all members of society.  For adults with low skills levels who have adapted to cope with the demands of their jobs at present, it is anticipated that problems will arise when those jobs require new skills, and Mr Humphries called for a system of funding that would allow adults to be able to participate in learning.

He went on to emphasise the need for training, especially in leadership and management and to encourage employers to do more.  Referring to research by Bassi Investments in the States he shared results which showed the companies that trained most had a 50% greater share portfolio, 50% greater return for shareholders and 50% greater market return.

Subscribe to TJ news bulletins:

| Subscribe to our L & D RSS Feed

Related News

• Peter Honey
• Letters to the Editor
• New campaign unveiled to change the nation's attitude to skills and learning

Related Discussion Topics

• National Training Day 24th May
• Please join us at a Brain Friendly Networking Event
• Switching to training as a career

Latest News

• Sector Skills Councils relicensing
• Skillnet is to run Ford's apprenticeship scheme
• Line managers are not equipped to interview effectively
• Promoting diversity in the Civil Service
• DWP improves its service to customers, says latest capability review