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BCS welcomes Brown's proposals on skills

The British Computer Society has welcomed the proposals on skills made by Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown at last week's CBI conference.

In his conference speech, the Chancellor said, "Each year India and China produce 4 million graduates compared with just over 250,000 in Britain. And if we are to succeed in a world where offshoring can be an opportunity, then the acquisition of skills by all - our mission to make the British people the best educated, most skilled best trained country in the world - must become the shared desire and determination of the whole British people from parents and teachers to management and trades unions."

The Chancellor went on to say: "I propose that in the next year we work together in a long term plan to make Britain the best educated, trained and skilled workforce prepared for all challenges ahead."

Pete Bayley, director of qualifications for the British Computer Society (BCS) in the UK, welcomed the Chancellor's comments: "As IT plays an ever increasing role in the workplace it is vital for the future success of UK businesses that employees have the necessary skills to not only advance their own careers but to advance the nation as a whole.

"In order to compete in a global working world it is important that, as Gordon Brown states, we have a long term plan in place to ensure that the workforce is prepared for new technology and the advancement that is taking place across the world.

"The BCS has long promoted the importance of IT training as an essential part of education and UK industry as it not only increases confidence of workers but reduces stress and improves efficiency in the workplace. The BCS has been providing UK citizens with key IT skills and qualifications that offers them a certification of their achievement and is keen to continue its work with the public and the Government to set the standards for the IT industry."

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