The Government has published a White Paper called Realising Our Potential, which aims to tackle UK workers' lack of basic skills and provide employers with the skilled people they need to grow their businesses.
In a bid to boost productivity, increase flexibility and match European rivals, the paper suggests a number of initiatives to target the 30% of adults that currently leave formal education without basic qualifications.
The proposals include free adult learning to make sure people achieve five GCSEs or equivalent, a £30 weekly learning grant for further education for adults over 19, the raising of the 25-year age limit for Modern Apprenticeship schemes, and prioritisation of information communication technology as "the third essential skill for life", alongside literacy and numeracy.
Mike Stapleton, UK corporate affairs manager for contact caterer Compass Group, welcomed the Government's suggestions. "We already have a number of similar initiatives conducted in house as part of our retention policy, and so it's pleasing to see the White Paper reflecting these and therefore endorsing our approach," said Stapleton.