UK Skill levels and international competitiveness
This report is part of the UK Commission’s thematic review series. It provides a short assessment, set in an international context, of recent progress and projected future performance of the UK in the level of skills held by the population.
Evidence Report : UK Skill levels and international competitiveness (PDF, 658 Kb)
Published – November 2012
Over the last decade, we have made huge progress in growing the skills of our workforce
within the UK. We have increased those with higher qualifications (at a degree level or above) by more than half and reduced those with no qualifications by a third. However, as this report shows, when the UK’s performance is set in an international context it becomes clear that other nations are increasing their skill levels more rapidly. At current rates of progress the UK runs the risk of falling further behind. This is a real concern when viewed in the context of the UK’s overall competitiveness.
