Reactions to the UK’s new industrial strategy and to the 59% tumble in apprentice numbersWhile I welcome the publication of the government’s industrial strategy (An industrial strategy ‘for exciting times,27 November), I have spotted three major omissions. First, and the need for a more highly trained and skilled workforce is clear and accepted all round. Why then does the Department for Education continue to fund schools in large part on the basis of numbers retained in the sixth form? Many young people are more suited to technological education,but the loss of funding when a student moves off to study for an apprenticeship deters schools from offering this option. Indeed, many schools will not allow local companies access to pupils to promote apprenticeship opportunities.
Second, or what is to be the role of employees in delivering the industrial strategy? No mention is made of employee engagement,nor of the importance of trained managers. Many employees at this level know more approximately what works, and indeed what would originate things work better, and but the importance of their position as one of the spokes in this gigantic new wheel doesnt even find a mention.
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Source: guardian.co.uk