Home > News > September 2005 > 13-Sep-2005

Survey finds 'complacent' employers a threat to UK growth

Complacent employers who are ignoring the training and skills needs of their staff could pose a long-term threat to the UK's economy, according to a survey of British employers published today.

Three in five employers admit that problems are looming as the workforce ages whilst the level of training remains static, according to the report, commissioned by labour market economists at Skills for Business.

The study of 13,000 UK employers also found that two out of three employers admit that they have problems recruiting new employees with the skills they need. Yet three in five employers do not provide yearly training plans for their employees. And one in two employers believed that the skills required by UK workers have remained unchanged, despite rapid technological advances and the increasing threat of international competition.

Professor Mike Campbell, Director of Research at Skills for Business said: "Complacent employers could pose a serious threat to the future of the UK's economy. With the age of our skilled workforce rising and many employers failing to train enough of their staff, we are sitting on a skills timebomb.

"Our productivity levels are already 8% lower than the EU average, amounting to some £80 billion of lost output to our economy. If this situation continues, there is a very real risk that it could have serious economic implications for the future prosperity of the UK."

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