WIREDGOV

Invest in workplace English skills for business and social benefits, say employers

DEPARTMENT FOR INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS News Release issued by The Government News Network on 10 December 2007

Top businesses and employers today revealed how their investment in workplace English language skills brings about significant business and social benefits. Employers as diverse as DHL, University College Hospital London and Tesco say their English language programmes for migrant employees have improved business performance, customer service and community integration.

Bill Rammell, Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, joined with Frances O'Grady (Deputy General Secretary, TUC) and John Cridland (Deputy Director General, CBI) to launch English Language at Work, a new publication highlighting employer investment in English language training. It sets out both the bottom-line business benefits and wider social and economic advantages employers have realised through investing in English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) for their staff.

Minister for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, Bill Rammell said:

"Good English language skills are crucial for life, work and strong communities, so it's excellent to see businesses, unions and employers promoting the benefits they have realised from investing in English skills.

"Their best practice reinforces the point that we need a two-way approach to integration. In other words, just as employers, whether in the public, private or voluntary sector, need clear information on the impacts of ESOL at work, and choice, relevance and flexibility in options for contribution; so too do learners, whose skills, aspirations and abilities bring shared benefits to us all."

TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O'Grady said:

"Being able to speak and understand English is crucial if workers are to get on in their jobs and in their communities. Employees with a good command of English are also less likely to be exploited by rogue employers.

"Last year union learning representatives helped around 4,000 workers to access English language courses, and sensible employers realise the business benefits of providing decent language training for their workforce. Now we'd like to see other employers coming forward and working with unions to provide ESOL training for all their workers that need it."

John Cridland, Deputy Director-General of the CBI, said:

"The recent rise in migrant labour has greatly benefited the UK economy, but while many migrant workers arrive with excellent English language skills, others need support if they are to thrive in the workplace and integrate effectively into their local communities.

"The business benefits of investing in the language skills of the workforce are clear - many firms have seen improvements in productivity, savings in recruitment, lower turnover and higher employee motivation. This publication is designed to encourage more employers, with Government support and funding, to build on the excellent practice that already exists."

The publication has been produced by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills in partnership with the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and Confederation of British Industry (CBI), with support from Business in the Community. It showcases the achievements of a wide range of employers, unions and providers who have facilitated English language learning opportunities for their employees; across a range of sectors and industries, and in a variety of ways.

The case studies reveal the important role of improved English language skills in meeting both social and economic needs. Employers who have invested in ESOL are seeing meaningful returns from the cost savings linked with improved morale, team-work and retention, to enhanced customer care, competitiveness and productivity. There is also clear evidence that providing this type of training maximises an individual's ability to integrate and progress in life and work in the UK, with wider gains for a cohesive society.

The English Language at Work publication forms part of a wider Government drive to engage employers in addressing the particular English language needs of workers and those seeking employment in the UK. As such, the publication complements the recently launched ESOL for Work qualifications, which provide work-focused English language skills on shorter and more flexible courses. This follows the prioritisation of general ESOL funding to meet the needs of the most socially disadvantaged in August 2007.

Notes to editors

1. English Language at Work: Work-based English for Speakers of Other Languages can be viewed and downloaded at http://www.dius.gov.uk and http://www.dfes.gov.uk/readwriteplus .

2. Further background on the recent changes to ESOL policy, including information on the new ESOL for Work qualifications, can be found on the following links:
http://www.dius.gov.uk/press/16-10-07.html - ESOL for Work press notice
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/readwriteplus/Planning_and_Funding - ESOL background
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/readwriteplus/bank.cfm?section=954 - ESOL Race Equality Impact Assessment

3. Businesses and employers who want to learn about investing in the skills of their staff can contact Train to Gain by calling free on 0800 015 55 45 or visiting http://www.traintogain.gov.uk The Learning and Skills Council's Train to Gain service provides impartial, independent advice on training to businesses across England. It can help businesses improve their productivity and competitiveness by ensuring that employees have the right skills to do the best job. Train to Gain gives access to a Skills Broker who will carry out a needs analysis of training within a business and help it assess what skills the business has now and what it will need in the future.