‘Further education needs fresh focus’

The further education sector urgently requires a coherent strategy and vision for the future, or it will not provide the skilled workers desperately needed by UK employers – says The 5% Club, an employer-led body of more than 275 organisations.

A survey of its members, who range from FTSE100 companies to SMEs and the public sector, indicated nearly half are unable to access training that meets their needs.

And if current limitations in the further education sector are not addressed, employers will be unable to increase the number of apprentices they take on. This would leave the UK with a massive skills gap in global markets.

Among The 5% Club’s members, 47% say they are unable to find training providers for the specific skills they require. Such members include many in key sectors requiring specialist skill sets and/or based in rural areas.

The challenge this causes employers is clear, when 91% of members also believe that the further education sector is critical to future skills and training. With further consolidation expected in the sector and the pending introduction of T-levels, The 5% Club’s research reveals that, despite the pivotal role further education must play in delivering a skilled workforce, only 42% of respondents are optimistic about the outlook for the sector.

The 5% Club concludes that the further education sector must become more entrepreneurial, reaching out and building new relationships with employers to secure additional funding streams if it is to meet the needs of 21st Century employers.

Lady Cobham CBE, Director General of The 5% Club, said: “Our members clearly indicate that further education is core to our economic future. But delivering the skills they are demanding requires vital improvement in the sector.

“This will require new thinking, both from the government and the providers, if we are to ensure the high quality training relevant to today’s employers and jobseekers – and tomorrow’s prosperity.” The 5% Club works with UK employers and key influencers to inspire, educate and retain a growing body of people into “earn and learn” placements in order to increase the number of apprentices, sponsored students and graduates.

The stated goal of the organisation is to increase the employment and career prospects of today’s youth and equip the UK with the skilled workforce it needs to safeguard the economy.

The 5% Club was launched in 2013. www.5percentclub.org.uk

Pictures: Getty Images. A poll of employers says further education providers need to better equip their students for work.