Government earmarks £300m for skills training
25/06/2008(16:48)
The government is to set aside more than £300 million from its training budget to tackle skills shortages in the construction, hospitality and processing and manufacturing sectors.
Announced by secretary of state for innovation, universities and skills John Denham, the extra funds will aim to help employers improve their workforce's qualifications and boost the number of apprenticeship places.
Some £133 has been earmarked for the construction industry followed by £112 million for the hospitality sector and £62 million for processing and manufacturing.
Mr Denham is also to meet business leaders to discuss measures to ensure the supply of skilled labour matches emerging skills gaps in the economy.
"Industries such as construction, hospitality and processing are key to our future prosperity, but there is a need for more highly trained people if we are to continue to lead the world in an increasingly competitive global economy," he said.
The news follows an announcement from Mr Denham last month that he is to give Semta, the sector skills council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies, £65 million from the government's Train to Gain budget.
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