Record training levels welcomed by CBI

Levels of employer training have reached a record high, according to the Learning and Skills council.

This announcement has come as welcome news for the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) who urged the importance of basic numeracy and literacy skills for employees.

There has been an increase of around £3.5 billion in investment in training employees by companies since 2005, meaning that around £39 billion is now spent on this by firms in the UK.

Richard Wainer, head of education and skills at the CBI, commented: "Employers recognise that a skilled workforce is increasingly important to stronger productivity and competitiveness and they are clearly putting their money where their mouth is."

Mr Wainer also added that many businesses have to endeavour to rectify the knowledge gaps of their employees.

Indeed, around 40 per cent of employers have "serious concerns" about the lack of knowledge that some of their employees have according to the 'CBI/Edexcel Education & Skills Survey 2008' of 735 firms.