Semta calls for skills resolution

Philip Whiteman, Chief Executive of Semta, pictured, said: "It is essential for companies to map out how they will develop the skills of their people to achieve their business objectives. There will be less public funding in future so we need to help get real returns on skills investment. "As emerging markets gain ground on the UK, remaining competitive in the sectors where we have a world-leading heritage is challenge enough, let alone when faced with some of the toughest austerity measures the UK has ever seen. We are calling upon the 130,000 employers we represent to make skills investment their New Year resolution as the route to success for their business, their sector, and ultimately the UK economy. "Investment in training needs to provide a bottom line return. Our focus in 2011 will be to work with employers and governments across the UK to ensure a policy focus on science, manufacturing and engineering skills is at the heart of rebalancing the economy. A sector-based approach, delivering practical learning programmes that meet specific company and broader industry needs is the right way to provide real economic benefit and energise people and companies through learning."