Apr 18 - GSD: Government Is Not Addressing “Skills Cliff Edge”
The GSD says that the Government’s response to its criticisms of its Future Job Strategy and its “desperate attempt” to defend a policy which should have been resigned to the political dustbin long ago “demonstrates how out of touch the Government have become.”
A party statement expanded: “The Government fail to respond to the “skills cliff edge” identified by the Unite Union and the call by the Chamber of Commerce as to the requirement for a robust apprenticeship scheme. The Government also ignore the public statements made by a senior gaming executive last year in respect of educating the next generation with skills such as IT and software development. Remarkably, the Government also continue to ignore the real concerns of parents and our young people who are unable to access a “real” jobs and training opportunities.
“The GSD notes the letters circulated to selected employers in June 2017 which are devoid of any merit. The sole objective of the letters appears to seek to denigrate an Opposition MP in a style of politics which our community is unfortunately becoming accustomed to. Instead of accusing the Opposition of lying the Government should answer the concerns of many people in our community about the serious lack of skills training in traditional trades and modern day apprenticeships.”
Elliott Phillips MP said:
“The Government simply don’t get it. We need directed and targeted training of skills for the jobs that exist within the labour market as well as those skills which are clearly lacking amongst our own people. This is not about reactively plugging skills gaps, our policy is about reflecting on where we want to position our economy in the global digital economy and ensuring that our people are the first and best choice for employers. Trainees are students not employees who can be moved around from company to company without direction or support. What our community requires is a multifaceted and dedicated career service linked to business which guides not only those students destined for University but importantly creates a real alternative modern apprenticeship programme which answers the calls by industry, the Chamber and the Unions.”
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