The network is made up of 25 Sector Skills Councils [SSc] covering 85% of the entire workforce. Uniquely they are employer led, independent sector- based and UK-wide, and therefore best placed to understand your needs.

We may be the fourth largest enconomy but we’re lagging behind with poor productivity - despite high employment levels and long working hours. The skills in other countries are often improving faster: in India and China’s case - a lot faster.

Consider that if we narrow the productivity gap with the US by just 10%, we add £40,000,000,000 to the bottom line of UK businesses, every year.

We are being held back by a number of fundamental problems:

• There are 135,000 job vacancies because no one has the skills to fill them.
• 2.4 million workers are not properly skilled for their current jobs, let alone future ones. This effects 20% of organisations.
• One in three of the UKs existing workforce is not qualified to the level expected of a school leaver.
• Skill deficiencies start at the top with insufficient management and leadership skills.

Employers need the right people in the right place, at the right time, This can be achieved by working with your SSC to influence educational suppliers, such as universities and colleges.

Visit www.skillsforbusiness.biz for more information.