Representatives of the UK’s small and medium-sized businesses have appealed to Gordon Brown to set aside funds for enterprise education in this week’s Budget.
The Forum of Private Business (FPB) has made the plea after conducting a skills survey, which highlighted an urgent need for business awareness among school leavers.
Commenting on the survey’s findings, the FPB’s research project manager, Rebecca Leavers, said: “Our members are telling us that the literacy skills of 40% of school leavers are below average, and likewise the numeracy skills of 35%.
“However, what they have also identified is a lack of basic work ethics, and the ability and willingness to apply classroom knowledge to a workplace environment.”
The FPB has argued that instilling entrepreneurial skills in students would be a more effective response to the skills crisis than asking employers to sign a skills pledge, as recommended by the Leitch Review.
“The incentive to train employees is already there,” added Leavers. “It is called productivity and profit, it doesn’t need compulsion and regulation.
“What it needs is for those being trained to have the work ethic and willingness to take responsibility, that would make skills training more beneficial. That is why enterprise education in schools is vital.”
Timothy Rhodes, managing director of logistics firm Skypark Freight Limited in Liverpool, agreed that a greater emphasis on entrepreneurial skills would help to increase skill levels by creating more adaptable school leavers.
“By gearing students towards management and leadership in the correct manner it would open up new horizons for them and they will be able to work for any employer.”
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2007
