| The CBI/Nord Anglia education
and skills survey of almost 600 firms, Emerging
stronger: the value of education and skills in turbulent
times, shows that in response to the recession,
over half of employers (51%) say that they want to target
their training more effectively to get maximum return
on their spend. The main findings highlighted are:
Train to Gain:
The survey showed that while employers support the
principles behind the government's flagship Train to
Gain programme, many felt it was not delivering. Two-fifths
(42%) of employers using Train to Gain programme said
it delivered ‘no impact’ for their business,
and three-quarters rated its training brokerage service
as ‘poor’ or at best ‘mixed’.
Apprenticeships:
Around half (51%) of firms had apprentices and over
a third (38%) hoped to increase their numbers. Over
half (51%) said the government should introduce incentive
payments for companies taking on apprentices, half (50%)
wanted to see apprenticeship qualifications better matching
business needs and half (50%) wanted young people that
would not have traditionally considered an apprenticeship
to consider taking this route.
Skills levels:
Over half (57%) of employers in the survey lacked confidence
in there being enough highly skilled staff in future.
This is a particular problem for firms recruiting people
with science, technology and IT skills (72%) and in
the energy and water sector (68%). Two-fifths (40%)
of employers were concerned about the basic literacy
and numeracy skills of their current workforce.
Commentary
The CBI’s director-general, Richard Lambert,
said: "During turbulent times, it would be understandable
if firms have to reduce their training budgets, but
this survey shows that they are most concerned with
getting more value from their training, to ensure they
are better placed for an upturn when it comes."
Andrew Fitzmaurice, chief executive of Nord Anglia
Education, added: "Since the last CBI survey on
education and skills was published a year ago, the world's
economy has seen a severe economic downturn. Employers
are keen not just to survive the recession, but to emerge
from it in the best possible shape. To do so, training
and development remains vital."
You can download the CBI/Nord Anglia education
and skills survey 2009 (PDF, 3MB) by clicking here. |
