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Pledge for 'skills revolution' Pledge for 'skills revolution'
(20 minutes later)
The government has announced how it aims to boost Britain's skills base with a partnership between business and education.The government has announced how it aims to boost Britain's skills base with a partnership between business and education.
Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, John Denham, said the aim was to make the UK a world leader in skills by 2020.Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, John Denham, said the aim was to make the UK a world leader in skills by 2020.
The proposals include an adult careers service. They follow the Leitch report on skills, published in December. The proposals include an adult careers service for England. They follow the Leitch report on skills.
Lord Leitch said the UK lagged behind in adult literacy and numeracy.Lord Leitch said the UK lagged behind in adult literacy and numeracy.
His recommendation that the age for compulsory education should rise from 16 to 18 has already been taken up by Gordon Brown. Speaking in the Commons, John Denham said: "We will bring about a skills revolution and close the gap between where we are now and where we need to be in 2020.
His report said five million adults lacked "functional literacy" while more than 17 million had problems with numbers. "Our ambition is to ensure that this country becomes a world leader in skills by 2020."
'World leader' target
Lord Leitch's key recommendation that the age for compulsory education should rise from 16 to 18 has already been taken up by Gordon Brown.
His report, published in December, said five million adults lacked "functional literacy" while more than 17 million had problems with numbers.
Lord Leitch had urged ministers to commit to a "compelling new vision" and to become a world leader in skills by 2020.Lord Leitch had urged ministers to commit to a "compelling new vision" and to become a world leader in skills by 2020.
Those of his targets which have been accepted by the government include:
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  • 95% of adults to have basic skills in literacy and numeracy
  • More than 90% of adults with GCSEs or vocational equivalents
  • More than 40% of adults with degree or higher level qualifications
    		•  The government accepted a target he had set for 95% of adults to have basic skills in literacy and numeracy, with the aim of 1.1 million more people achieving this over the next three years.
    John Denham said the government wanted a "skills revolution", in which vocational training was "employer-led".John Denham said the government wanted a "skills revolution", in which vocational training was "employer-led".
    "We must ensure the rising generation starts working life with higherqualifications and higher skills," he said. "We must ensure the rising generation starts working life with higher qualifications and higher skills," he said.
    He announced the setting up a new career service for adults in England, available for people from 19 to 25, which would offer advice on training, job-seeking and childcare. He announced the setting up a new career service for adults in England, which would offer advice on training, job-seeking and childcare.
    The skills sector councils would be reviewed, he said. The skills sector councils would be reviewed, he said. The number of apprenticeships would be increased and there would be a new entitlement to free training for 19 to 25-year-olds.
    He also said a new UK commission for employment and skills, set up after a recommendation from Lord Leitch, would be reviewed in 2010.He also said a new UK commission for employment and skills, set up after a recommendation from Lord Leitch, would be reviewed in 2010.
    Mr Denham said if more people improved their skills, they would have access to better jobs, help cut child poverty and lead to "higher aspirations and better opportunities for their children".Mr Denham said if more people improved their skills, they would have access to better jobs, help cut child poverty and lead to "higher aspirations and better opportunities for their children".
    Shadow Education Secretary David Willetts said the government had "downgraded" its ambitions.Shadow Education Secretary David Willetts said the government had "downgraded" its ambitions.
    The Liberal Democrats said the proposals amounted to a series of re-announcements.The Liberal Democrats said the proposals amounted to a series of re-announcements.