Union reports massive deficiency in employer training across the nation

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More than a third of UK workplaces are refusing to provide training for their staff, leaving over 8 million workers without proper qualifications.

And according to a new report released today by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) entitled “2020 vision for skills”, only 11.5% of staff who receive training pass with a nationally recognised qualification.

Furthermore, the TUC’s analysis reveals that in the West Midlands, nearly one million workers are being starved of proper accredited training, with the North East’s numbers sitting at just under 300,000. The TUC report that the lower numbers in the North East are attributable to higher union membership, resulting in more training agreements signed thereof.

Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary, commented on the findings: “Employers should stop complaining so much about the skills levels of their staff and spend more on training them. Despite many government incentives one in three employers are denying training to millions of workers who need it most”.

The TUC calls on employers and government to invest more in adult skills, provide statutory paid time off for workers to train, and boost union voice in workplace skills bargaining. Further to this, government must collaborate with the UK’s Sector Skills Councils (SSC) to tackle skills discrimination amongst black workers, the disabled, women and older employees.

“The government must legislate to make sure that workers get paid time off to train”, Mr Barber continued. “Britains unions are already working in partnership with large numbers of employers, through their army of 14,000 union learning representatives, to reskill their workforces”.

“Government investment has helped this process and it must be increased”.

To read “2020 vision for skills”, click here

Vijay Pattni.

Education Secretary Alan Johnson speaks to Liz Smith – read it here on Wednesday at FE News

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