Skills Transforming Business - Institute of Directors

An acute lack of skilled workers is jeopardising the competitiveness of UK businesses in every sector of the economy, from engineering and construction to healthcare and IT. Skills shortages and gaps are also apparent at all levels of employment, from shopfloor workers to senior management. Many people lack even the basics such as literacy and numeracy; a situation that is costing UK employers around;10bn a year. These were the findings of the National Employers Skills Survey - the largest research of its kind, carried out recently by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).This guide offers practical advice on how employers can tackle the critical issues highlighted by the LSC's comprehensive survey. It also includes input from other recent reports and provides useful information on sources of support and advice. The problem cannot be ignored: employers need to identify where the skills shortages or gaps are in their workforce and address them. This guide provides authoritative information on how employers can improve their companies' skills base, including: carrying out a skills audit upskilling existing employees and attracting new talent developing a skills strategy measuring progress.