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This summary report, produced by Warwick University's Institute for Employment Research (IER) on behalf of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), sets out the main findings and broad policy implications of the LSC's 'Skills in England 2002'. Targeted at senior policymakers and those with responsibility for education and training, the summary report provides an overview and synthesis of evidence on the demand for and supply of skills in England. The full assessment is presented in two volumes: the first provides a national overview of the key issues and challenges for skill delivery and the second summarises the more detailed sectoral and local evidence. The most important message to emerge is that investment in education, training and skills is of crucial importance for economic performance and social cohesion. Overall the assessment predicts that the demand for qualifications is expected to grow, as will the demand for basic skills and other key skills such as communication, team working, problem solving and information technology (IT) skills. It also suggests that in order to recruit workers, employers will need to 'adapt' jobs to the individuals available. A number of particular issues are considered in more detail in this report: (1) persistent problems with basic skills, intermediate level skills and some generic skills; (2) inequalities in access to training; (3) dramatically changing skill demands; (4) the increasing intensity of skill demand; (5) replacement demands on declining sectors and occupations; (6) priorities for investment; (7) managerial skills needs; (8) concerns about over-qualification; (9) the local dimensions of skills; (10) sectoral skill concerns; (11) the relevance and distribution of training; and (12) increasing skills demand as part of a general policy to improve productivity and performance.