Employers slow to grab initiative over skills gap
Hospitality companies are failing to tackle the skills crisis despite recognising the threat it poses to their future prosperity, according to a new report.
A poll of more than 200 senior managers found three quarters (75%) believed their business would suffer during 2006 because of a lack of skilled staff to fill vacancies.
And 80% feared a lack of skills training would hinder the performance of their existing workforce.
The Department for Education and Skills, which commissioned the report to highlight Foundation Degrees, said it was worrying that a quarter of employers still had no vocational training in place despite acknowledging the challenges faced.
Although the majority of those questioned in the poll (90%) back vocational training schemes, minister for lifelong learning Bill Rammell said few were actually getting involved and shaping future programmes.
He said: "I am pleased to see employers continue to back vocational qualifications. I want more UK business leaders to come on board and commit to the design and delivery of Foundation Degrees."
Foundation Degrees were launched in 2001 to meet the specific needs of the employer through a partnership approach.
Adopters from hospitality include Radisson Edwardian and Compass-owned Baxter and Platts.
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