UKCES

The country’s notoriously complex skills system is gradually becoming simpler and more responsive to employers’ needs, according to new research published today.

The report, “Hiding the Wiring”, assesses progress towards implementing 10 recommendations for simplifying the skills system made by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills last year*.

It finds that:

• Of the 7,000 employers surveyed as part of the research, seven out of 10 have knowledge or experience of the country’s publicly-funded skills system;
• Of these, 60% reported that gaining access to the support their business needs is reasonably easy and services are delivered professionally;
• Of those who choose not to engage with the publicly-funded skills system, over half (51%) say they are put off by bureaucracy.

The report adds that “whilst we recognise good progress in relation to some of our themes, we are still clear that there is more to be done in a number of areas.  Progress to date has concentrated on presenting the system in a more accessible way to employers.  The next challenge is to continue work on a more fundamental simplification of the system, by designing simplicity into the system rather than designing complexity out.  Areas for particular attention include preventing re-proliferation of brands and initiatives, reducing the complexity of funding and contracting regimes and increasing the speed of progress on qualifications reform.”

It also notes that the recession has had an adverse impact on attempts to simplify the skills system, adding:  “During the course of our research, there have however been a number of new initiatives, largely related to the need for action to reduce the impact of the recession.  Whilst this is understandable, there will be a need to ensure the growth of new brands and initiatives does not continue.”

Chris Humphries CBE, Chief Executive of the UK Commission, explained:

“The direction of travel endorsed by both the government and the UK Commission is to de-clutter the skills landscape and put the customer – whether that’s the employer or learner – at the heart of the system by introducing better, more accessible, information about the quality of provision.  We also need to reduce the burden of paperwork and administration without compromising front-line services, and resist the temptation to tinker with the system by introducing short-term initiatives and programmes.” 

Copies of the report are available to download here

Ends

*  these recommendations are contained in the October 2008 report, “Simplification of Skills in England” which may be downloaded from the UKCES website.

Notes to editors:

About the UK Commission for Employment and Skills

The remit of the UK Commission is to provide vigorous and independent challenge, advising government at the highest levels across the UK on employment and skills strategy, targets, policies and progress towards challenging competitiveness goals, including the vision of an 80% employment rate by 2020.  It has been asked by the government to report on crucial issues, such as the employability skills employers need for future economic success, how UK employers can use skills to become more globally competitive, and whether further institutional change is required to deliver better integrated employment and skills services.  

The findings of the “Hiding the Wiring” report have informed the UK Commission’s flagship report, “Towards Ambition 2020; Skills, Jobs, Growth”, which recommends ways in which the UK’s skills and employment systems should be fundamentally altered to make them more efficient and effective.  Copies of this report are available to download here

Further information from Alex Curling, Head of Press

Tel: 01709 774890

Mobile:  07748 090500