Ministers announced a £40 million scheme to subsidise on-the-job study in the Government’s latest White Paper on skills. The move is designed to promote technical skills and equip more working people with higher level qualifications.

Emphasis has been put on science and engineering, alongside an expansion of successful pilots that teach literacy and numeracy and GCSE/GNVQs in the workplace. Science minister Lord Sainsbury said that the UK has to improve its technical expertise, which has been weak for the last 100 years.

The proposals have been welcomed by SummitSkills, as the White Paper focuses heavily on a shift towards demand-led education, where the needs of employers and individuals drive the supply of knowledge and skills.

Keith Marshall, SummitSkills’ chief executive, said: “Employers are in pole position to benefit from the Skills White Paper. Now, employers can ensure that their best interests are at the forefront of future planning and development. Over the forthcoming months we will liaise with government and businesses to make the proposals a reality.”

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor

Postscript

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