Don't Lose Focus On UK Skills Urges ALI

The Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI) is urging the government to maintain its commitment to the skills and training of UK adults, as plans are announced to make it easier for highly skilled workers to enter the country from across the EU.

Commenting on the issue, Chief Inspector David Sherlock said: "Allowing high skilled workers into this country to plug the skills gap is essential if the UK is to compete on an international level. But if we are to ensure our economic stability in the long-term, we also need to invest in home-grown talent. Too often adult skills are seen as the underdog, losing out to the schools system in terms of funding and focus."

Recent ALI inspections of the government's £3 billion Skills for Life programme revealed poor progress in tackling shortfalls in adult literacy and numeracy, with funding focused on younger learners. This was echoed by the Public Accounts Committee who expressed concern about the extra money needed to make real improvements in adult skills in the UK in relation to other countries.

"Despite areas for significant improvement, our inspections show that we have an increasing number of world-class training providers in this country and a rich pool of talented, motivated adults," said Sherlock. "Investing in good quality adult training means more adults and young people gaining vital skills and qualifications, getting jobs and fulfilling their potential. It means more employers able to find staff with the skills and experience to improve business performance and compete in a world economy. "We know how to raise standards. If we are going to develop the kind of world-class skills base this country needs to be internationally competitive, it is time to take adult skills seriously."

(CD/SP)