The following article was published in Zest, the Learning Northwest newsletter [Issue 005].

Upskilling needs upfunding

Jonathan Kettleborough, Managing Director of Corollis comments on the recent report by the Performance and Innovation Unit: In Demand - Adult Skills for the 21st Century and looks at how the issues of Workforce Development [WfD] may affect us.

According to the World Bank "Educated and skilled people are usually able to deliver more output or output that is more valuable in the marketplace." In short, better educated people tend to lead to better jobs, more money and more prosperity for the country. This is the drive behind the government's new Workforce Development [WfD] initiative; Its vision that; "In 2010, the UK will be a society where Government, employers and individuals actively engage in skills development to deliver sustainable economic success for all."

In order to achieve this vision, the government is seeking to move from a supply-led to a demand-led system, one which will deliver increased productivity and greater social inclusion. This is to be achieved through a 'virtuous spiral' where employers and individuals seek out opportunities, invest in self-development, realise improved productivity and share rewards. Excellent!

But what about the practical implications? We know that demand-led initiatives such as ILA's generated a high take-up rate, and whilst they were suspended amidst allegations of fraud, much will have been gained from their introduction. But what about the money? Is there enough and is it allocated in the right places? Taking the example of the small businesses sector which employs 50% of the UK's private sector workforce [12 million], contribute 40% to GNP and is responsible for 60% of all commercial innovations; It's been identified that this sector is reluctant to invest in training and development due to costs and poaching. So what do we provide in the way of aid? Well, there's the grand total of £0.6 million available through Small Firms Training Loans. That's about five pence per employee - hardly what you would expect to "deliver sustainable economic success for all."

Clearly the government is looking at these issues, however until we can consistently deliver funds for the provision of practical, effective and sustained education and training schemes, we will not engender the substantial changes required. Let's hope that the policy document, due in Summer 2002 provides us all with a workable and funded strategy for success.

Jonathan Kettleborough is Managing Director of Corollis a leading provider of independent e-learning consultancy services. He can be contacted on 01606 892011 or via jonathan@corollis.com

The online version of this article can be found at: http://www.learningnorthwest.com/Zest5/upskill.html