IT skills are as important as numeracy and literacy and
need to be centre-stage in education, according to the chief
executive of the Work Foundation.
Will Hutton, who heads the research-based consultancy, said IT
is equally important for individuals and and the economy. He said,
"IT is one of the most important things you can have, along with
numeracy, literacy and perhaps soft skills. What can you do if you
have not got at least basic IT skills? At the moment, IT does not
really sit at the centre enough in terms of importance."
Other speakers at the Conservative party conference fringe
meeting, held on Monday, said the importance of employer-led demand
for skills is growing.
Chris Humphries, former director general of the British Chamber
of Commerce who also chaired the Skills Task Force, said he hoped
sector skills councils will help channel employers' voices in the
skills debate.
"We have to get more engagement with the employers, because they
are the lifeblood of economic competitiveness and generation of
revenues. I hope
sector skills councils will be the basis for this."
But Will Hutton said he was unconvinced that employer-led
skills schemes were the best option.
"I am only half persuaded that it has got to be
employer led and demand led - you could then be trapping people
into where they live because their skills will only be useful for
businesses nearby," he said. "Employers saying what they want might
not be in the best interests of the individual."
Chris Skidmore, from Conservative think-tank the Bow Group,
advocated tax breaks for employers willing to train their staff and
added extra help should be given to smaller businesses.
He said, "Employers themselves are training people increasingly.
£33bn a year is now being spent on training. But it is small
businesses that suffer most.
"We should provide tax breaks to companies if they are willing
to run training schemes. Companies want more support from
government and better dialouge."
In addition, Skidmore said exam board QCA should receive advice
and input from employers and universities, "so we have an accurate
reflection of those who need qualifications. Otherwise we will not
have the culture shift we need."