Mon, 11 Jul 2012

The number of employers dissatisfied with school and college leavers’ basic skills remains stuck at around a third – the same as a decade ago – with 42% reporting that they have had to provide remedial training for school and college leavers.

The latest CBI/Pearson Education & Skills shows that 35% of employers are dissatisfied with school and college leavers’ literacy skills and 30% with their levels of numeracy.

The full report includes a number of recommendations including better links between employers and schools, and improved careers advice.

John Cridland, CBI director-general, says: “There is nothing more important to the future economic success of our country, and the lives of young people, than education.

“In the UK we must ensure that our education and skills system can continue to compete at the cutting edge.”

Rod Bristow, UK president of Pearson, adds: “Despite improvements in the past decade, employers want to see an even sharper focus on literacy and numeracy, beginning at primary school.

“Literacy and numeracy are the basic building blocks that help young people learn other subjects, get on in life and find rewarding work.”