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Pisa rankings: Business in Wales fears skills gap Pisa rankings: Business in Wales fears skills gap
(about 4 hours later)
Business leaders in Wales are warning of a skills shortage in the wake of school tests showing the nation falling behind its industrial rivals.Business leaders in Wales are warning of a skills shortage in the wake of school tests showing the nation falling behind its industrial rivals.
The Pisa international study of 15-year-olds showed Wales faring worse than the rest of the UK and many other nations in reading, maths and science.The Pisa international study of 15-year-olds showed Wales faring worse than the rest of the UK and many other nations in reading, maths and science.
Education Minister Huw Lewis said results were disappointing.Education Minister Huw Lewis said results were disappointing.
Emma Watkins, director of business group CBI Wales, said basic skills was one of the top issues firms raised.Emma Watkins, director of business group CBI Wales, said basic skills was one of the top issues firms raised.
"It's fundamental that the skills system, the education system, is meeting the needs of the economy. Are we doing that? No. Not enough yet.""It's fundamental that the skills system, the education system, is meeting the needs of the economy. Are we doing that? No. Not enough yet."
She argued that businesses should be expected to pay to train people in specific skills required by the company.She argued that businesses should be expected to pay to train people in specific skills required by the company.
But she added: "There are still too many businesses out there who are having to invest time and money and resources in teaching people to read, to write, to answer the phone, which frankly they shouldn't be doing."But she added: "There are still too many businesses out there who are having to invest time and money and resources in teaching people to read, to write, to answer the phone, which frankly they shouldn't be doing."
CBI Wales says the Welsh government has recognised and is addressing these issues.CBI Wales says the Welsh government has recognised and is addressing these issues.
Ms Watkins added: "We've started the journey. We are far, far away from achieving the end goal."Ms Watkins added: "We've started the journey. We are far, far away from achieving the end goal."
Education Minister Huw Lewis told BBC Wales there were "no quick fixes" for turning the education system around in Wales and everyone involved needed to "take a good look into the mirror".Education Minister Huw Lewis told BBC Wales there were "no quick fixes" for turning the education system around in Wales and everyone involved needed to "take a good look into the mirror".
He said: "There could be questions about us taking our eye off the ball in the mid 2000s around the basics in education."He said: "There could be questions about us taking our eye off the ball in the mid 2000s around the basics in education."
But he insisted Welsh ministers did "take heed" of previous poor Pisa results in 2009, and instituted "one of the most radical and ambitious reform programmes that Welsh education has ever seen".But he insisted Welsh ministers did "take heed" of previous poor Pisa results in 2009, and instituted "one of the most radical and ambitious reform programmes that Welsh education has ever seen".
The importance of education and skills for economic growth have been highlighted by the prime minister's visit to China, where £6bn of trade deals have been unveiled.The importance of education and skills for economic growth have been highlighted by the prime minister's visit to China, where £6bn of trade deals have been unveiled.
It's no coincidence that China's forging ahead economically and is also leading the way in the Pisa league tables.It's no coincidence that China's forging ahead economically and is also leading the way in the Pisa league tables.
Prof David Reynolds, an education advisor to the Welsh government, said: "By the 2016 PISA, unless we have moved up the league tables so business people think that it's worthwhile to come here, we will frankly cease to exist as a major industrial society. We will be a theme park."Prof David Reynolds, an education advisor to the Welsh government, said: "By the 2016 PISA, unless we have moved up the league tables so business people think that it's worthwhile to come here, we will frankly cease to exist as a major industrial society. We will be a theme park."
Biocatalysts in Nantgarw near Cardiff shows the importance of a highly-skilled workforce in helping Welsh companies compete in the global market.Biocatalysts in Nantgarw near Cardiff shows the importance of a highly-skilled workforce in helping Welsh companies compete in the global market.
It manufactures enzymes to improve food shelf life and enhance flavour, which are used across the world.It manufactures enzymes to improve food shelf life and enhance flavour, which are used across the world.
Managing director Stuart West said: "For many of our positions we recruit locally, so our lab technicians and production technicians.Managing director Stuart West said: "For many of our positions we recruit locally, so our lab technicians and production technicians.
"When we come to scientists and our commercial people then we do actually recruit internationally."When we come to scientists and our commercial people then we do actually recruit internationally.
"So we have, I think, two Spanish, three Irish, an Indian plus obviously many people from England.""So we have, I think, two Spanish, three Irish, an Indian plus obviously many people from England."
Another employer is Jacqui Niven who set up Cardiff-based Fix Training in the depths of the recession in 2008 and has had recruitment problems.Another employer is Jacqui Niven who set up Cardiff-based Fix Training in the depths of the recession in 2008 and has had recruitment problems.
"We've had lots of applicants for skilled positions from people who haven't necessarily got the skills," she said."We've had lots of applicants for skilled positions from people who haven't necessarily got the skills," she said.
"But what we've wanted to recruit on has been attitude because obviously we're quite good at providing skills.""But what we've wanted to recruit on has been attitude because obviously we're quite good at providing skills."
Recruitment on attitude is becoming an increasingly popular approach by businesses as it provides them with workers who are willing to learn new skills.Recruitment on attitude is becoming an increasingly popular approach by businesses as it provides them with workers who are willing to learn new skills.
Fix Training goes into businesses to improve employees skills including in areas like literacy and numeracy.Fix Training goes into businesses to improve employees skills including in areas like literacy and numeracy.
Much of the funding for this comes from the European Union and the Welsh government.Much of the funding for this comes from the European Union and the Welsh government.
The Moving Forward scheme will offer paid work placements and mentoring support for 400 young people aged 16-18.