Commenting on the Government’s response to Sir Andrew Foster’s report on the future role of ‘Further Education: raising skills and improving life chances’, Judith Norrington, head of national policy development at City & Guilds said:

‘We welcome the sentiment within the White Paper and its recognition of Further Education as the powerhouse for change in supporting economic development and employability, as well as its contribution towards social change.

This is a step in the right direction and the Government now needs to ensure that the UK delivers what is set within the White Paper.

The extension of an entitlement to free education for those under 25 to a level 3 or ‘A’ level standard is particularly welcomed by our director-general, Chris Humphries, who initially recognised this need whilst in post as chairman of the National Skills Taskforce.  

Young people deserve to be properly prepared for adult and work life.   This is an area where we have been losing ground and we should be seeking to get 90% of those under 30 on programmes that provide skills and attributes at level 3 by 2010 if we are to compete on the world stage.   This will become more pressing as 65% of jobs will require level 3 qualifications within four years.

Not enough focus has been given to reskilling and upskilling older people to fill the additional one million jobs that will be created by 2010 and remain unfilled.     The UK will not be able to meet its forecast growth figures unless it succeeds in engaging with those adults not currently in the workforce by helping them to obtain a foothold into the labour force and boost their work skills to the desired levels. 

At the same time, the system needs to be more responsive to the needs of learners and employers and more attention should be spent on improving or redeploying the skills of adults already at work.     The issue of careers advice and guidance for adults has not been addressed by the White Paper.   As new types of jobs emerge and adults are expected to have several career changes in their lifetime, it is essential that a system is in place to accommodate this growing need.

If the UK is to effectively address skills training, the issue of who pays for this needs a quick resolution if meaningful discussions are to be held on a practical nature of contributions from employers and individuals.