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Companies 'should improve links with colleges'

Jan 21 2009

Companies should continue training staff and improve links with further education (FE) colleges to provide the UK with a skilled workforce for the future.

According to a new report from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), workforce development is even more important during an economic downturn.

Research from the organisation shows that almost half of companies surveyed have links with a FE college, but it states this should be increased.

The study also found more than half of businesses do not have confidence in the workforce of the future and feel its skill levels need to be increased.

Richard Lambert, director general of the CBI, says: 'We need to see more businesses considering what colleges can offer and thinking clearly about their own training needs.'

He adds that the case to create links between colleges and businesses is 'compelling' as 'being flexible and competitive is even more important for firms during a recession'.

The Trades Union Congress recently asserted that employees should still have access to training during the recession to ensure skills needs are met.

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