Partner Article

Current situation on skills funding ?untenable'

Britain’s manufacturers have urged the government to clarify the funding for skills programmes past the end of this year, amid fears that employers will be left short of the skills they need to take advantage of the upturn in the economy.

Manufacturers’ organisation the Engineering Employers’ Federation (EEF) believes companies are now beginning to look ahead to a recovery in demand and planning future employee training. But mounting uncertainty about future of government-funded training budgets is putting these plans at risk.

According to an EEF survey 55% of manufacturers are concerned about their ability to attract and retain skilled employees in preparation for the upturn.

Tony Sarginson from EEF said: “The current position in untenable and companies need a clear commitment to maintain funding in future years. Manufacturers are taking a long-term view of their skills and training needs, but these efforts are being stymied by the lack of clarity on funding for key programmes after this year.

“Programmes such as apprenticeships, including adult apprenticeships, and leadership skills are crucial in developing our future workforce, but any uncertainty, especially in this economic climate, will have consequences for meeting our skill needs - not to mention the government’s own targets.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .