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Employees 'lack skills for SME work'

Published On 20 March 2007 at 15:35:03

British businesses are finding it increasingly hard to recruit workers with the correct skills for the job, according to a new report.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has published a report which reveals that 55 per cent of UK employers, including many at small and medium-sized enterprises, thought it was harder to find skilled workers now compared to five years ago.

"As the effects of globalisation are more widely felt it is imperative that the UK workforce is highly-skilled if our economy is to remain competitive," warned David Frost, director general of the BCC.

"The current education and vocational training system is failing to provide workers with the skills that businesses need. If this is not effectively addressed UK businesses will be seriously disadvantaged."
However, the report did find that UK SMEs are increasingly prepared to train their own staff. According to the figures, 83 per cent of small businesses now provide training for their staff.

"Businesses recognise the importance of skills which is why they spend on average £350 per employee, per year on training. However, for many small businesses it can be difficult to absorb this cost."

Last month, the government reported that 57 per cent of SMEs were not aware of the free training courses that are run at many Further Education institutions and could be used to improve the skills of their workers.

 

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