Seven and half million training places are being created after the prime minister promised to train "British workers for British jobs".
Seven and half million training places are being created after the prime minister promised to train "British workers for British jobs".
Over three years, ministers hope to set up 3.5m basic skills courses for those with poor educational qualifications.
Over three years, ministers hope to set up 3.5m basic skills courses for those with poor educational qualifications.
The plans also include 120,000 new apprenticeships for the under-25s and 30,000 places for older workers.
The plans also include 120,000 new apprenticeships for the under-25s and 30,000 places for older workers.
No-one should be out of work because skilled migrants were easier to employ, Skills Secretary John Denham said.
No-one should be out of work because skilled migrants were easier to employ, Skills Secretary John Denham said.
It is estimated that nearly a third of people of traditional working age in the UK are poorly qualified, and almost seven million have problems with numeracy or literacy.
It is estimated that nearly a third of people of traditional working age in the UK are poorly qualified, and almost seven million have problems with numeracy or literacy.
There will be an extra 95,000 places for people who don't have five good GCSEs, to enable them to get those or equivalent vocational qualifications.
There will be an extra 95,000 places for people who don't have five good GCSEs, to enable them to get those or equivalent vocational qualifications.
Back on benefits
Back on benefits
Raising the skills of the worst qualified is crucial to the government's Welfare to Work strategy. Billions of pounds have been spent on the various "New Deal" strategies to get people off benefits.
Raising the skills of the worst qualified is crucial to the government's Welfare to Work strategy. Billions of pounds have been spent on the various "New Deal" strategies to get people off benefits.
But many claimants are too poorly qualified to be able to get sustainable jobs. Almost half of Jobseeker's Allowance claimants who move into work are back on benefits within six months.
But many claimants are too poorly qualified to be able to get sustainable jobs. Almost half of Jobseeker's Allowance claimants who move into work are back on benefits within six months.
It will also help ensure that nobody here is unable to get a job because it is easier to employ a skilled or better qualified migrant worker John Denham, Universities and Skills Secretary
It will also help ensure that nobody here is unable to get a job because it is easier to employ a skilled or better qualified migrant worker John Denham, Universities and Skills Secretary
Mr Denham said: "For millions of people, skills and learning are the key to improving their lives - whether getting into and on at work, improving job prospects or simply putting more money into their pockets.
Mr Denham said: "For millions of people, skills and learning are the key to improving their lives - whether getting into and on at work, improving job prospects or simply putting more money into their pockets.
"It will also help ensure that nobody here is unable to get a job because it is easier to employ a skilled or better qualified migrant worker."
"It will also help ensure that nobody here is unable to get a job because it is easier to employ a skilled or better qualified migrant worker."
But many employers argue that problems of basic skills should be addressed in schools.
But many employers argue that problems of basic skills should be addressed in schools.
The chief spokesman for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Stephen Alambritis said: "When recruiting school leavers, over 40% of small businesses report problems with basic, low-level skills (such as literacy and numeracy) and soft skills (such as communication).
The chief spokesman for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Stephen Alambritis said: "When recruiting school leavers, over 40% of small businesses report problems with basic, low-level skills (such as literacy and numeracy) and soft skills (such as communication).
"The FSB believes all of these skills need to be provided by the education system. The need for 3.5 million basic skills courses is an acknowledgement that the education system is not performing as it should."
"The FSB believes all of these skills need to be provided by the education system. The need for 3.5 million basic skills courses is an acknowledgement that the education system is not performing as it should."
Economic growth
Economic growth
There are also plans to increase the number of places on level three courses - the equivalent of A-levels. They will increase by 310,000 by the end of the decade.
There are also plans to increase the number of places on level three courses - the equivalent of A-levels. They will increase by 310,000 by the end of the decade.
Many of these courses are intended to be part-funded by employers through the "train to gain" initiative.
Many of these courses are intended to be part-funded by employers through the "train to gain" initiative.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber welcomed the plans.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber welcomed the plans.
"Increasing investment in skills will support economic growth and productivity, help employees to progress at work and provide more sustainable employment opportunities for those seeking work," he said.
"Increasing investment in skills will support economic growth and productivity, help employees to progress at work and provide more sustainable employment opportunities for those seeking work," he said.
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