The UK Government's Strategy towards Work Training and Skills - Research Paper Example

? Analysis of the UK Government’s Strategy towards Work Training and Skills In The Light Of the Current Economic Downturn Analysis of the UK Government’s Strategy towards Work Training and Skills In The Light Of the Current Economic Downturn Introduction Work trainings and skills are very important in that through acquisition of skills, knowledge and competencies specific objectives and goals are achieved by an individual, organization or a nation. A number of countries have put considerations and priorities into enhancing teaching through vocational skills, knowledge and practical experiences as well as competencies. Through such trainings, there is improved capacity, performance and capability of an individual, organization or a country to realize its goals as it forms a key element on apprenticeships alongside providing itself as a pillar for technical aspects in workforce. This has been observed to contribute towards economic growth. This presentation attempts to look at and analyze the United Kingdom Government’s strategy towards work training and skills in the light of the current economic downturn. This entails the basic needs as aligned to work training and skills as have been focused on by the UK government as a requirement in trade, professions and general occupation (UKCES 2011: 34). It has been observed that the labour market recognizes the need to promote training beyond an individual’s novel qualifications. This work looks into such issues as well since there is a need for the nation to upgrade, maintain and update work skills in every aspect of employment so as to enhance working life in line with improving economic growth for the entire nation. The UK Government’s Strategy towards Work Training and Skills The United Kingdom’s government has in the past made strong moves and attempts to handle the potential failures in skills trainings. It has been in the forefront with a focus aimed at improving the employees, skills and knowledge and at the same time has them undergo some relevant learning. This has been considered essential following “the government’s need to achieve sustainable growth in economy since it is importance to address it other than the country’s trends in skills trainings which have remained steady” (UKCES 2009: 34). This approach by the UK’s government is a reflection of its efforts and determinations to ensure the issues on the same are addressed effectively. However, Keith (2011: 32) notes that the government has not been able to source enough funds to help contain the problem though it has got plans put up to acquire and employ relevant resources. This will help enlarge programmes for apprenticeship especially for adults while also giving out support to people who are involved in trainings especially vocational trainings. In order to realize its goals for the strategy on the basis of works training and skills, the government has formulated reforms that incorporate expansions for adult apprenticeships in order that between the years 2014 and 2015 the country may boast of having 75,000 more grounds for skills trainings other than the labour plans by the government. According to UKCES 92011:46), “this will include loans from the government which will be given to 24 year old learners during the period between the years 2013 and 2014 as well as launch a growth innovation funding programmes which is deemed to have the potential of being a total of up to ?50m”. In regard to these, the government also plans to publish its skills book so as to assist both individuals and businesses to gain the relevant skills that are important in having the country achieve an increased economic strength alongside building growth that is sustainable in as far as long-term considerations on work trainings and skills are concerned. In spite of the fact that the United Kingdom’s government has reduced the budget for further education and the expected skills, there has not been any continuation for the programmes in the protection and investment plans so as to realize the highest quality as well as the highest benefit as regards the highest number count of the persons therein (Payne 2010: 27). The government is also determined to ensure the newly adopted approach towards skills development enhances growth of businesses; hence economic steadiness will be improved as well. The UK government has also taken up many remarkable recommendations along with its focus on the scarce resources for technical skills and apprenticeships while also putting the focus on assisting the micro and medium-sized enterprises so that they may gain access to proficient and reliable workforces (UKCES 2009: 23). This has been an interest of the government following the fact that companies and other organizations are part of the elemental feature with the greatest potential of driving the country’s growth in productivity and development in employment. This therefore leads to economic growth both in the present and into the future. “The government’s strategy is deemed to increase the multitude of apprenticeships, the recognition of unions as very useful players as far as helping the population is concerned by way of recruiting more into employment areas and promoting and encouraging of free courses especially for the adult population who have difficulty in writing and reading” (Keith 2011: 17). The country’s economy will stabilize further since the expertise will be equipped to actively play their role in the developments geared towards economic growth for the country. However, when the employers in the United Kingdom keep on committing little money in their budgeting for the training programmes for their employees, then quite a number of employees will be left with the need to continue working so as to help manage to fund their personal trainings. This follows the fact that the funding of different courses by the government will enable them have access and ability to sponsor themselves into their own training. Nevertheless, high inflation times render the pays to be so much squeezed and at the same time thousands of jobs are lost in the process hence funding of trainings turn out not to be a greater priority especially for employees who are left with hard financial times (Keith 2011: 17); but then, the government’s intention to increase the standards of vocational trainings has been of great essence. It has therefore not been weird to have the private employers taking up on several apprentices for adults especially during the seasons when the country is faced with the economic downturn. The UK government has of late come up with plans and programmes to help in increasing the number of participants following in the age gap of 16-24 years in training, education and work in general. “The government’s strategy to enhance the opportunities for this group to succeed in trainings and education while also gaining the relevant skills required for securing employment and apprenticeship has also been its priority” (Keith 2011: 18). This has comprised gradual reforms in vocational training, schools, provision of welfare as well as skills. Quite a number young people keep in education and focus on positive transmission into adulthood while at the same time transiting into the life of work. There is a considerable number of such young people who are in employment, education or training. Following the present economic pressures, the UK government looks into assisting these young people especially the most affected so that their skills may be developed and so they may have a better experience while also helping them secure successful transition into adulthood (UKCES 2011: 36). To get more of such groups of young people who are active thereby involve them in their personal training, development and learning will thereafter get them into the work industry. This will assist in prolonged differences as far as their future plans and prospects are concerned hence, help raise mobility levels in the society as a whole. This is core to the government’s strategies and plans to trigger economic development and growth for the entire nation. Keith (2011: 26) notes that the government has formulated five actions for its “Building Engagement, Building Future” strategy which includes: raising and promoting performance not only at school level but also beyond schooling - this is to ascertain that the young nation gains access to skills required for healthy competition in the global economy; assisting partners at the local level to be able to provide efficient, effective, meaningful and well coordinated services for the support of the young population as well as the highly vulnerable – this will also emphasis on achievement of full participation especially for the ages 16 and 17 years before the year 2015 draws in; incentivizing, encouraging and promoting the employers to embrace inspiring and absorbing the nation’s young generation by according them opportunities for high standards in apprenticeships as well as gain access to relevant work places with viable experiences; ascertaining that every work is beneficial in terms of payment while also offering the young people support that is more or less personalized in the way they may need it whether through the country’s Work Programme, Universal Credit or the country’s Get Britain Working approaches; and putting up Youth Contract at a cost of ?1 billion for the coming three years so as to help the young people learn, train and earn before any future damages come into force. Besides the above strategy, Keith (2011: 25) observes that the UK government has also come up with Government Social Mobility strategy for participation in “Opening Doors, Breaking Barriers”. Through this strategy, the government intends to put up conditions for the growth of the country’s economy as well as recovery of the same. It brings into force the government’s commitment to the young generation by assisting them gain access to essential skills and education required for getting the most out of employment opportunities. In the process, the economy keeps picking up. “Quite a number of priority actions are integrated into this strategy one being to transform vocational training and education so that the young people may have several choices to choose from a wide range of study programmes” (UKCES 2011: 23). This will prove meaningful in as much as there is a need for relevant fields such as mathematics and English as well as the need for appropriate experience in work. Also in the priority list of the government through this strategy is the incorporation of funding initiatives through involvement of businesses at the corporate level and through charities so as to assist the most vulnerable young people in the age gap of 16-17 years old acquire skills, as well as jobs (Keith 2011: 17). Through Youth Contract, funds will be remitted over the next three years to have such groups to training and education on the basis of apprenticeship or employment that is sustainable. Work skills training in the United Kingdom has been seen to enhance economic and business development in the country, as well as the country’s social wellbeing. “Engaging employers in work have been improved as well especially with regard to developing productiveness through skilled, knowledgeable and confident staffs in several areas of professions and occupations” (Keith 2011: 17). This has been attributed to the government’s efforts towards creating opportunities for employment at all levels within the community. The needs of employers are thus met as per their expectations since there have been well developed and effective employees in almost every sector and area. This has further been useful in the establishment of apprenticeships for the need of skills improvement whereby the employees working diverse areas in the entire industry (Bourne et al 2008: 28). This has seen the United Kingdom, through the government’s efforts, achieve success in regard to economic development in the country while at the same time having gained a stable position in as far as employers are made to focus on both personal growth and national growth in terms of the economy as well as enhancing of the societal needs. Conclusions The United Kingdom has been able to sustain the wellbeing of its young nation. Besides, it has helped them transit into adulthood when well equipped with the relevant skills and knowledge that is important for the country’s economic growth. This has been made possible through years following the government’s intention to develop and raise the standards of the country’s vocational trainings and education. This has been due to its need to enhance its economic growth not only for the present generation but also into the future as well (Keith 2011: 17). The strategies which the UK government put up in place ensure that those who are learning are not faced with the challenge of cut jobs or courses. The ones who need finances have avenues such as Youth Contract. It is evident that the government recognizes the essence of having skillful people absorbed into employment while at the same time putting the focus on economic growth. This is boosted by the government in that it has put attention to enhancing training programmes, education and employment approaches. It has also created avenues for them to benefit from funds that will further enhance their opportunities in securing places for personal work experiences. This has also been the case with the government’s provision of more work experience positions while focusing on the next three years, especially for the unemployed young people through the Youth Contract. This will benefit the young people and consequently contribute to enhanced economic growth. Through the government’s strategies on work skills, employers have been encouraged to absorb 18-24 year olds through Work Programmes, therefore contributing to availability of approximately 160, 000 jobs. Apart from this, there has been improvement in embracing skills systems and welfare programmes with particular attention placed on how to bring the two together. This will allow for provisions from Work Programmes, as well as skills to impart ability to operate or work mutually towards offering fundamental training skills with regard to vocational areas required locally (UKCES 2009:26). This is at the same time aligned to the acquisition of work experiences that will be supportive to the young generations especially those with little skills. Through the government’s strategies, the needs of a number of employers to develop employees who are effective and competent have been realized. At the same time, there has been the development of flexible and effective approaches that help to enhance the unemployed people to acquire job positions. This has further been essential in having such people, as well as the young population have support by strategies that aid in developing new comers into the job market. The focus has, however been directed mostly to the young people by preparing them in time so that they may be able to be active participants in apprenticeships hence taking their education, trainings and employment needs with lots of concern as this helps improve family wellbeing (Keith 2011: 17). Therefore, learning and trainings for work place are essential since they improve performance just like for the case of the United Kingdom whereby there have been enhanced work trainings and development especially for the young people. References List Bourne, M. et al. (2008). The Impact of Investors in People on People Management Practices and Firm Performance. Centre for Business Performance, Cranfield. Keith, A. (2011). The CIPD Annual Learning and Talent Development Survey 2011, UK: Epic Payne, J. (2010). Coalition government launches new skills strategy. SKOPE: Cardiff University UKCES. (2011). UKCES UK Employer Skills Survey 2011, Wathupon-Dearne UKCES. (2008). Simplification of Skills in England. UK Commission for Employment and Skills, Wath-upon-Dearne UKCES. (2008). Working Futures 2007-2017. UK Commission for Employment and Skills, Wathupon-Dearne. UKCES. (2009) Ambition 2020, Technical Report. UK Commission for Employment and Skills, Wath-upon-Dearne UKCES. (2009). The Value of Skills. UK Commission for Employment and Skills, Wath-upon Dearne. Read More