28/07/2011

Government praised for addressing skills gaps

David Shelton, engineering and manufacturing recruitment director at Core Talent Recruitment, said that the work put in so far is beginning to bear fruit.

He stated that recent initiatives involving BAE Systems and Cambridge University are having an impact, which is helpful as the UK is "skills poor".

"The government's work supporting the growth of skills in all areas that are lacking is also helping to fill the UK's skills gap," Mr Shelton added.

This view was echoed by Michael Davis, chief executive of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, who said: "[The] government is proving rather good at getting people back to work."

He went on to say that this needs to be sustained going forward.

Business secretary Vince Cable said recently that he is pleased with the response from the private sector towards the coalition's £50 million Growth and Innovation Fund, which designed to improve the UK's skills base.