Shephard admits skills shortage

Education Secretary Gillian Shephard this week admitted that 바카라사이트 country's workforce is "lagging behind" international competitors in terms of basic skills of literacy and numeracy. Labour's education spokesman David Blunkett called this "바카라사이트 first own goal of Euro 96".

Mrs Shephard was addressing Britain's business leaders before publication of 바카라사이트 first Skills Audit, which compares 바카라사이트 United Kingdom with France, Germany, Singapore and 바카라사이트 United States. She was also speaking before 바카라사이트 publication of 바카라사이트 third competitiveness White Paper, due out yesterday, which is expected to detail a voucher scheme for 16-19-year-olds.

She said that while 바카라사이트 Skills Audit showed 바카라사이트 country is strong in higher education, lifetime learning and IT skills, it demonstrated that at 바카라사이트 craft and technician level 바카라사이트 UK lags behind its rivals.

Mrs Shephard said that 바카라사이트 new qualifications framework proposed by Sir Ron Dearing would help. A new system of national traineeships is also being created which will prioritise core skills.

But David Blunkett, addressing 바카라사이트 same Confederation of British Industry conference, said that "바카라사이트 Skills Audit, laudable as it is, is 바카라사이트 first own goal of Euro 96". He said: "The Tories have repeatedly failed to address 바카라사이트 skills deficit. They seem content to write off 바카라사이트 third of 바카라사이트 working-age population who expect never to do any education or training."

Labour promised to raise 바카라사이트 standards of vocational qualifications and broaden 바카라사이트 scope of A levels to give young people 바카라사이트 range of skills needed for work.