Making the call, EEF’ the manufacturers’ organisation believes companies are now beginning to look ahead to a recovery in demand and planning future employee training, including apprenticeship programmes. But mounting uncertainty about future of government-funded training budgets is putting these plans and their competitiveness at risk.
According to an EEF survey of almost 700 manufacturing companies 55 % are concerned about their ability to attract and retain skilled employees in preparation for the upturn.
T
he statement from the Learning and Skills Council last week seeking to clarify the funding of Train to Gain and apprenticeship programmes for those currently in learning offered little confidence about the availability of support beyond this year.
Commenting on the current situation Lee Hopley, Head of Economic Policy said.
"The current position in untenable and companies need a clear commitment to maintain funding in future years. Manufacturers are taking a long term view of their skills and training needs, but these efforts are being stymied by the lack of clarity on funding for key programmes after this year.
"Programmes such as apprenticeships, including adult apprenticeships, are crucial in developing our future workforce, but any uncertainty, especially in this economic climate, will have consequences for meeting our skill needs – not to mention the government’s own targets. "