THE onus is on the private sector to drive the economic recovery through growth and job creation, and businesses recognise that investment in training now will be crucial to this.
However, we must be wary of government plans for wholesale extension of training levies or licence to practise schemes as these may have an adverse impact hindering employer investment in staff training and do nothing to increase productive skills levels.
Levy systems operate by charging employers in certain sectors a specified proportion of their wage bill which is then pooled and used to fund training grants within those respective sectors.
Licences to practise require employees to be trained to a certain level before they obtain a professional licence to operate in sectors such as care, security, construction and heating and gas.
In a new report on training investment, employers said that a voluntary approach would be the best way to build on the strong business commitment to training and boost skill levels.
Our report finds a wealth of good practice amongst employers of all sizes who are developing the skills of their staff by a range of methods including formal qualifications, but also on-the-job coaching and learning.
But employers are clear that a regulatory approach, including the extension of levies and license to practice schemes would actually hinder investment in training.
Businesses already invest £39bn each year on training, with European data showing that 90% of UK employers provide training, well above the EU average of 60%.
A proportion of this investment is on remedial literacy and numeracy training to make up for the shortfalls of the education system. CBI data shows two-fifths of employers have had to provide this. In addition, over two thirds of companies work with secondary schools to develop future skills.
A large proportion of learning in firms will be informal and on-the-job, particularly among SMEs. This is not always captured in official figures which the CBI believes under-estimates the extent of business activity.
Employers and government share the ambition of better skills and stronger growth. Ministers are looking to employers to take greater responsibility for skills development by potentially extending regulatory measures on training through levies and licences to practice schemes.
The CBI accepts that licence to practise schemes may be required in certain sectors where there are health and safety concerns, but there is no evidence to suggest that a wholesale extension of regulatory schemes would lead to higher skills.
Instead the CBI is proposing a voluntary approach based on:
Larger companies opening up their resources and expertise to smaller firms within the sector.
Sharing of resources between smaller and medium sized enterprises in the same geographic area to drive efficiency.
Universities and further education colleges focusing on tailor made courses to up-skill junior and middle managers through greater use of unitised learning and continuing professional development (CPD) programmes.
Using Investors in People as a people development tool.
:: Sarah Green is regional director of CBI North East
