Almost all skill reforms introduced in the last 30 years have “alienated firms, confused learning providers and failed to deliver on skills needs”, a new report claims.
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI), which represents around 190,000 businesses in the UK, said the Government must take a fresh approach to skills in 2018.
The CBI report, In Perfect Harmony, is highly critical of the new Apprenticeship Levy, introduced in April last year. It said it should be evolved into a flexible skills levy so firms can fund training for their people whatever the form of high quality course they do.
Neil Carberry, CBI Managing Director for People policy, said: “Skills are vital if we are to adapt to new technologies, increase our global competitiveness and deliver higher wages. They are the very heart of a successful industrial strategy. But that means we need a skills approach that lasts for 50 years, not five.
“Too often skills reforms have been well-intentioned, but do not work for learners or businesses across the country, so the system is reinvented again.”
Mr Carberry added: “Companies need to get stuck in and engage to help create a more flexible and business-focussed skills system that will benefit their people, their business and the local economy. This report highlights some great examples of innovation and collaboration to create high-quality training – the right national approach can unlock this kind of fantastic local leadership across the country.”
The UK is currently facing a skills shortage, particularly in the cybersecurity, nursing, teaching and construction sectors.
A recent survey, published by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), suggests that a lack of skilled workers is a key factor limiting building activity.
A Government spokesperson said the apprenticeship levy provides a “real opportunity to tackle the skills shortages we are currently facing”.
“Through our industrial strategy we are committed to creating the well-paid, high skilled jobs of the future,” he said.
The full report can be found here.