MP emphasises importance of vocational and technical education
Published by Rosalie Starling,
Editor - Hydrocarbon Engineering
World Cement,
MP Chuka Umunna emphasised the importance of vocational and technical education during a recent speech at the House of Commons. In recent years, employers have sometimes struggled to recruit school leavers with the correct skill sets for their particular industries, and the skills which young people possess often fail to match the technical requirements of businesses, especially with regards to areas such as science, technology, engineering and maths.
“To address this, we need a major expansion of high quality vocational and technical education, in particular apprenticeships for young people offering more and better work and training opportunities in all sectors of the economy, giving them these skills which employers say are lacking,” said Umunna. The politician also stated that efforts should now be made to further enhance the quality of apprenticeships. These schemes could be made to last a minimum of two years, and be classed as level-three qualifications.
MP Adrian Bailey also noted that the UK still needs to overcome a skills imbalance.Careers education is a key area that needs to be addressed, with improvements required in schools. More engagement is also needed with smaller-scale businesses, to ensure that their skill requirements are being met. “The potential to increase employment is actually going to be in the small business sector. Therefore, to get more small businesses taking on apprentices is absolutely essential,” said Bailey.
Moreover, MP Steve Rotheram stated that future governments should look to provide people with training in areas of the economy that have major potential in terms of employment growth.
Adapted from press release by Rosalie Starling
Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/06022015/mp-emphasises-importance-of-vocational-and-technical-education-290/
You might also like
Winners in popular photo competition announced at opening of major new exhibition
The annual global competition, run by the GCCA, has selected a striking image of a boy flying a kite playing on the steps of the Teopanzolco Cultural Centre in Mexico as the Concrete in Life Photo of the Year.