'Employees must skill up for UK to stay ahead
EXPERTS are warning that the UK's economy – currently the sixth largest in the world – could slip down the international ranks if it does not drastically improve its skills and employment systems.
'Ambition 2020', published by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, says that an extra 10 million people need to improve their skills if the UK is to achieve its ambition of being in the top eight countries in economic quarter finals by 2020 but we are only on target to achieve just half that.
It says there must be a real investment in the skill base of the UK's workforce with little public spending available. The Commission calls for an increase in the number of apprenticeships as well as making information for prospective students more readily available.
The report Ambition 2020: World Class Skills and Jobs for the UK, published by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills is available to download at www.ukces.org.uk