One in three employers refuse to train their staff, according to a report from the Trades Union Congress (TUC), which claims this is creating a skills crisis in Britain and leaves over eight million untrained. The TUC report, 2020 Vision for Skills, reveals 8,377,200 workers have not been trained.

One in three employers refuse to train their staff, according to a report from the Trades Union Congress (TUC), which claims this is creating a skills crisis in Britain and leaves over eight million untrained.

The TUC report, 2020 Vision for Skills, reveals 8,377,200 workers have not been trained, while of those who do get trained just 11.5 per cent receive a nationally recognised qualification.

‘Employers should stop complaining so much about the skills levels of their staff and spend more on training them,’ claims TUC secretary general Brendan Barber. ‘Despite many Government incentives one in three employers are denying training to millions of workers who need it most. And the Government must legislate to make sure that workers get paid time off to train.’

Greater Government investment in adult skills, statutory paid time off for workers to train, and a stronger voice in workplace skills bargaining for unions and workers are three ways to solve the crisis, says the report.

It also points to the fact that six million people of working age have severe literacy problems, with numeracy problems also a serious issue. With 70 per cent of the 2020 workforce having completed full-time education, the TUC argues that the Government needs to focus on training adults.

If action is not taken to improve skills levels, the TUC warns that Britain will fall further behind European neighbours such as France and Germany in terms of productivity.

For more on the report, visit www.tuc.org.uk.