UK businesses are urging the government to commit to its focus on workforce issues in its new industrial strategy.
Invest 2035: the UK’s modern industrial strategy, is the government’s 10-year plan to ‘deliver the certainty and stability businesses need to invest in the high growth sectors that will drive our growth mission’.
The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) commissioned research asking employers which areas the government should prioritise to meet the skills challenge.
The results show:
- 57% said upskilling the existing workforce.
- 41% said expanding vocational training routes.
- 40% said boosting digital training and skills development.
- 36% said fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.
- 30% said increasing investment in STEM education and training.
- 20% said attracting international talent.
When questioned on what would be considered the biggest challenge in recruitment:
- 60% said skills shortages.
- 41% said an unstable business tax environment.
- 36% said insufficient support for SMEs and start-ups.
- 25% said access to global talent.
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Neil Carberry, REC Chief Executive, said, “If the new industrial strategy’s focus on people is just a list of skills programmes that government will fund, then it will fail.
“Skills are part of a complex web of workforce practices that – if we can get things right – have the potential to transform UK productivity. But that requires serious engagement from business and public authorities alike
“The survey shows that industrial strategies need to consider people and productivity alongside taxation and infrastructure policies.
“Governments must work together on a more business-responsive approach to skills and deliver on the new Growth and Skills Levy so that employers can use funding more flexibly. There are many vacancies that require shorter learning curves and that can be filled quickly by someone who is ready to learn if they have the right support. A stable, long-term approach will help businesses step up with confidence, ensuring public money crowds in private sector commitment.”
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