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Skills Dialogues constitute a series of consultations with all major industrial and business sectors in the UK, generating high quality authoritative skills assessments for each of these broad sectors. Their purpose is to improve the quality of information available on skills at sector level and to provide an effective means for national training organisations (NTOs) and employers to contribute to the planning and implementation of education and training provision in their sector. This report is the result of the Clothing, Textiles, Footwear and Leather, and Furniture, Furnishings and Interiors Skills Dialogue and provides an assessment of trends in employment and skill needs and associated issues in these industries. These industries have faced a difficult transformation over the past three decades as a result of overseas competition and technological change. The report provides overviews of these industries, examines issues related to the demand for, and supply of, skills, including employment change, occupational change, skill requirements, skills gaps and shortages, and summarises common skills issues. The report suggests that to maintain competitiveness, the industries will need to further enhance skills, particularly in management, marketing and technical expertise. Major skills issues common to these industries are: (1) changes to the skills mix resulting from the transition to a combination of UK and overseas production; (2) overall skills deficiencies exacerbated by lack of experience and of basic skills; (3) skills gaps particularly at management levels and for clerical, craft and plant and machine operatives; (4) the equal demand for soft skills and technical and information technology (IT) related skills; and (5) that recruitment and skills problems are responsible for business problems and delays in developing new products. Show less

Skills Dialogues constitute a series of consultations with all major industrial and business sectors in the UK, generating high quality authoritative skills assessments for each of these broad sectors. Their purpose is to improve the quality of information available on skills at sector level and to provide an effective means for national training organisations (NTOs) and employers to contribute to the planning and implementation of education and training provision in their sector. This report is the result of the Tourism and Cultural Industries Skills Dialogue and provides an assessment of trends in employment and skill needs and associated issues in these industries. The ability of these industries to compete successfully on a global stage relies on raising service standards to meet rising customer expectations and choice. In the UK, competitive weakness is mainly a result of growing skills gaps and shortages. The report covers a number of sectors: hotels and catering; arts and entertainment; cultural, natural and built heritage; travel, tourism services and events; and sports and recreation, leisure parks and attractions. It examines in detail changing social patterns, employment patterns and economic drivers, employment trends, skills needs, and skills supply and skills gaps. Common skills needs for the sectors are identified. Skills gaps apply across the sectors in management skills, the need for multi-skilling whilst being a specialist, work readiness of graduates, adequate information and communications technology (ICT) skills, and customer care skills and positive service attitudes in front-of-house staff. The low level of training provision across the sectors is one of the most important reasons for the skills gaps. The report demonstrates the need for more investment in skills and training across the sectors to ensure the quality of products and services provided. Recommendations for future action are provided in the areas of: education and training, particularly in management skills, information technology (IT) skills and customer care skills; the development of the whole workforce including part-time, seasonal, transient, and freelance/casual workers; and support for small and medium-sized businesses in developing staff management skills, providing appropriate training to meet changing market needs, and improving the retention of their existing staff. Show less

Skills Dialogues constitute a series of consultations with all major industrial and business sectors in the UK, generating high quality authoritative skills assessments for each of these broad sectors. Their purpose is to improve the quality of information available on skills at sector level and to provide an effective means for national training organisations (NTOs) and employers to contribute to the planning and implementation of education and training provision in their sector. This report is the result of the Process Industries Skills Dialogue and provides an assessment of trends in employment and skill needs and associated issues in this sector. This group of industries covers ceramics, chemicals, downstream petroleum, extractives and minerals processing, glass, metals, offshore petroleum, paper, pharmaceuticals, polymers, refractories and building products, and surface coatings. These industries are essential elements of the supply chain for British industry and over recent years have undergone significant changes. Managing change is the main driver for investment in skills and the industry now has fewer, more highly skilled, employees. The key issues identified by the skills dialogue are: (1) recruitment; (2) management and leadership skills; (3) supporting process improvement and supply chain development; (4) safety, health and the environment; (5) using workplace qualifications; (6) basic and key skills; (7) new technology skills; and (8) choosing high quality learning provision. Show less

Skills Dialogues constitute a series of consultations with all major industrial and business sectors in the UK, generating high quality authoritative skills assessments for each of these broad sectors. Their purpose is to improve the quality of information available on skills at sector level and to provide an effective means for national training organisations (NTOs) and employers to contribute to the planning and implementation of education and training provision in their sector. This report is the result of the Financial Services Sector Skills Dialogue and provides an assessment of trends in employment and skill needs and associated issues in this sector. The main industries covered by this dialogue are banking and finance, insurance, professional services (financial intermediation) and professional services (accountancy). The first two chapters provide an executive summary and information about the dialogue process and the approach used for this sectoral dialogue. Chapter three discusses the context for the financial services sector and the key drivers of skill requirements and their potential labour market implications. Chapter four examines the demand for financial services skills and chapter five explores the supply of such skills. Chapter six considers the extent and nature of skill shortages within the sector based on the available evidence on recruitment difficulties and hard-to-fill vacancies and employer views about the proficiency of their workforce. The final chapter draws together the findings of the dialogue and proposes recommended actions to address areas of skill needs highlighted in the report. The key messages to emerge are: (a) the need for partnership to bring organisations together to address skills shortages in the sectors; (b) the need for comprehensive and accurate information on which to base future employment and skills projections; and (c) the need for clear and open dialogue and communication if a role is to be found for the public sector in supporting employers. Show less

Skills Dialogues constitute a series of consultations with all major industrial and business sectors in the UK, generating high quality authoritative skills assessments for each of these broad sectors. Their purpose is to improve the quality of information available on skills at sector level and to provide an effective means for national training organisations (NTOs) and employers to contribute to the planning and implementation of education and training provision in their sector. This report is the result of the Media and Creative Industries Skills Dialogue and provides an assessment of trends in employment and skill needs and associated issues in this sector. This dialogue covers the audio-visual industry (including broadcast, film, video and interactive media), design, photo-imaging, print and graphic communication, and publishing (covering books, journals, newspapers, magazines and electronic information services). The industries in this sector share several common interests related to new technological developments but differ widely in size, scope and characteristics. Each of the industries reported the existence of hard-to-fill vacancies. Key drivers influencing future skill needs are economic forces, changing patterns of demand, and changing patterns of doing business. A number of common concerns that exist to differing extents across each of the sectors were identified. These are: (1) attracting the workforce needed; (2) influencing education provision; (3) attracting the best talent: (4) workforce development; (5) emerging skill issues; (6) managing a small firm, freelance and casualised workforce; and (7) involvement in government initiatives. These concerns are discussed in the report and initial suggestions are made as to further action. Show less

Skills Dialogues represent a series of consultations with all major industrial and business sectors in the UK, producing high quality authoritative skills assessments for each of these broad sectors. This report in the series presents generic skills findings from sector and national research and provides an overview of generic skills issues currently facing the UK workforce. It results from an analysis of national research including the ‘Employers skills survey (ESS 2001)’ (indexed at TD/TNC 69.214), ‘Skills in England 2001’ (indexed at TD/TNC 72.137; summary indexed at TD/TNC 72.138) and ‘Work skills in Britain 1986-2001’ (indexed at TD/TNC 70.250). This national research informed a review of the generic skill requirements identified in the existing Sector Skills Dialogue reports. The report examines the main factors influencing generic skill trends, the demand for such skills, their supply and the associated shortfalls in provision. The report also addresses the key challenges being faced by employees, employers and government in developing the generic skills required to maintain productivity levels in the contemporary workplace. The report addresses the following generic skills: communication; improving own learning and performance; information technology; management; numeracy; organisation of work; problem solving; and team-working. Major observations are that generic skills are transferable, independent of the sector or occupational grouping in which the individual may operate, and relate to work processes and the way a task is carried out. Recommendations are made in relation to establishing a common approach to generic skills, optimising generic skills training, and driving generic skills development forward. Show less

Skills Dialogues constitute a series of consultations with all major industrial and business sectors in the UK, generating high quality authoritative skills assessments for each of these broad sectors. Their purpose is to improve the quality of information available on skills at sector level and to provide an effective means for national training organisations (NTOs) and employers to contribute to the planning and implementation of education and training provision in their sector. This report is the result of the Food and Drink Manufacturing Sector Skills Dialogue and provides an assessment of trends in employment and skill needs and associated issues in this sector. This sector consists of a number of sub-sectors: bakery, dairy, food and drink, meat, and seafood. The first chapter provides background information on the skills dialogue and the food and drink manufacturing industry, highlighting changes that have taken place in the industry. Chapter two investigates the demand for food and drink manufacturing skills, including employment forecasts and changing skill priorities. Chapter three investigates the supply of skills in terms of the availability of people and in terms of the qualifications that they hold. Chapter four discusses current skills issues and explores the implications of these by considering recruitment difficulties, skills shortages and skills gaps. Chapter five highlights the main issues associated with supply and demand for skills, qualifications, commitment to Modern Apprenticeships, barriers to training, skills gaps, business size, regional variation, craft sector changes influencing skill levels, production processes, information needs, and future actions. Some key messages emerging from the dialogue are that: (a) the demand for workers, both skilled and less skilled, currently exceeds supply; (b) within the existing workforce, occupations suffering major skill gaps include production workers, managers and the traditional craft sectors; and (c) poor image and profile of work in the industry is aggravating recruitment difficulties and there is a particular need to address the shortage of food scientists and technologists. Show less

Skills Dialogues constitute a series of consultations with all major industrial and business sectors in the UK, generating high quality authoritative skills assessments for each of these broad sectors. Their purpose is to improve the quality of information available on skills at sector level and to provide an effective means for national training organisations (NTOs) and employers to contribute to the planning and implementation of education and training provision in their sector. This report summarises the current information about skills issues in the post-16 education and training sector. Its particular purpose is to draw together common themes that affect employers and employees working in further and higher education, community and adult education, and training and workforce development. The report examines drivers of change in the sector, current employment in the post-16 education and training sector, employment trends and projections, workforce demographics, workforce development and qualifications, skills issues and recruitment, and sector responses to the skills challenge. Show less

Skills Dialogues constitute a series of consultations with all major industrial and business sectors in the UK, generating high quality authoritative skills assessments for each of these broad sectors. Their purpose is to improve the quality of information available on skills at sector level and to provide an effective means for national training organisations (NTOs) and employers to contribute to the planning and implementation of education and training provision in their sector. This report is the result of the Land-based Industries Sector Skills Dialogue and provides an assessment of trends in employment and skill needs and associated issues in this sector. The industry coverage includes agricultural crops, livestock and machinery (including garden machinery), animal care, environmental conservation, equine activities, fencing, fish farming, floristry, forestry, game conservation, landscaping, production horticulture, and professions allied to veterinary science (animal technologists, farriery, veterinary nurses). Section one presents key findings; section two provides the executive summary; section three presents introductory and background information; section four identifies common elements across land-based industries and highlights generic issues relating to skill needs; section five examines changing skill demands; section six investigates skills supply; section seven discusses skills demand/supply balance; and section eight contains individual industry analyses. The key messages to emerge present a challenge to the sector in the future. A major development program is needed to correct the imbalance between supply and demand for workers at higher skill levels. In agriculture, a third of the workforce is aged 55 and over and better management and business skills are required, particularly for the high number of owner/managers in the sector. Finally, better information and communications technology (ICT), key skills, initiative and problem solving skills are needed by all who work in land-based industries. Show less

Skills Dialogues constitute a series of consultations with all major industrial and business sectors in the UK, generating high quality authoritative skills assessments for each of these broad sectors. Their purpose is to improve the quality of information available on skills at sector level and to provide an effective means for national training organisations (NTOs) and employers to contribute to the planning and implementation of education and training provision in their sector. This report is the result of the Gas, Water and Electricity Skills Dialogue (including telecom cable-laying) and provides an assessment of trends in employment and skill needs and associated issues in this sector. Skill needs are being driven by broad factors such as increased competitiveness, globalisation and technological innovation, as well as regulatory requirements that create cycles of skills needs and specific demand requirements of labour. As a result of privatisation, the utilities share some skill requirements in the area of network construction, i.e. work that is contracted out to companies who work across the utilities. The report provides a sector overview and examines the demand for, and supply of, skills and recruitment and skills challenges. The report concludes that substantial work is required to build partnerships that will be able to support the supply of appropriately skilled labour to meet skills needs in the medium to long term and, for the gas industry, in the short term. It will be vital to develop skilled labour to take over from the ageing workforce characterising these industries. Show less