New research by a small business pressure group has revealed that owners of smaller businesses are unhappy with the Government’s approach to training employees. The study has highlighted skills initiatives as a particular problem.
The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is concerned that the needs of the small business community are being overlooked by the Chancellor: FPB’s Chief Executive, Nick Goulding, said:
"This survey is a timely reminder for the Government that they must respond to the needs of smaller firms. The Skills for Business network is funded to the tune of £59 million, yet our survey found that only 13 per cent of small business owners felt this was an appropriate method for skills provision."
Basic skills
The Government’s approach to training was not the only problem identified by the study. Of more than a hundred businesses surveyed, many perceived a lack of basic skills in school leavers, with more than 80 per cen t of respondents rating the literacy and numeracy of school leavers as average or below average. Further education colleges were also unpopular with over 60 per cent of respondents saying that they did not provide for the training demands of their businesses.
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Tracy Hoather, who runs Same Day plc, a small haulage company, is baffled by the Government’s disregard for the needs of smaller businesses. She said that money is available, but in all the wrong places:
"The Government claims to be focused on delivering skills, but my business doesn't need the sort of skills that are gained through existing schemes. It is ridiculous that funding is available for training that we don't want or need, but we are refused assistance in schemes that will actually allow our business to grow. The politicians say that it is important to up-skill employees, but when you are willing to do this, they're not interested in helping at all."
Mr Goulding said that Mrs Hoather’s experience reflected a widespread problem for smaller firms. He urged the Government to open up a dialogue with the small business community before investing tax-payers’ money on ineffective training schemes.
He said: "Smaller businesses must be consulted in devising skills initiatives. Sector Skills Councils have been hailed as an employer-led provider of training but in reality they are off the mark in providing smaller businesses with the help they need. More consultation with business owners will lead to more useful and dynamic skills initiatives."
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Susie Hughes
The Editor © Hardhatter 2006
