Learning and Skills Network
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New LSN research finds growth in priority sectors could be threatened
The Government sees growth in certain key sectors – such as advanced manufacturing, ‘low carbon’ and life sciences – as critical to the UK’s economic recovery. However, new research by LSN’s independent think tank, the Centre for Innovation in Learning, has found that the capacity of the UK education system to provide skills for some of these sectors could threaten this ambition and therefore the recovery.
This research – ‘Engaging employers to drive up skills’ – set out to examine how support for employer engagement in the further education and skills sector can be strengthened and improved. It identifies real needs and challenges from delivery–end professionals and suggests practical steps to inform employer engagement services.
It has found that, in the absence of established learner demand or central funding, colleges and training providers appear reluctant to invest in some of the Government’s growth sectors, as the risks and costs of designing provision ‘ahead of the curve’ outweigh the potential benefits. There are also genuine concerns about the lack of subject specialist teachers in these vital emerging sectors. As a result new skills sets may not be developed and job opportunities in growth areas may move to other countries.
