Skills 'key' to finding employment

13:25 3rd December 2009

IT training and other initiatives to boost skills are important in helping people find employment during the recession, it has been suggested.

Working Links, a voluntary company bringing together private sector drive, public sector ethos and voluntary sector ethics, has pointed to the importance of developing a high standard of skills as a way for people who have been made redundant during the recession to find new work.

Many people who have been laid off during the downturn may be looking at a career change, such as a move into the IT industry, which is expected to see strong growth over the coming years.

However, making such a move will require a good level of training in order to ensure that a potential employer will be able to recognise the person's potential.

Will Cookson, head of skills at Working Links, said: "Training, whether it's to top up existing skills or retrain for employment in a new sector, is important not only for personal development but will also help the UK recover from the recession in a better position."

Recent figures from the Department for Children, Schools and Families found there are at least 4.75 million students studying in further education colleges and training throughout the UK today.

Written by David Jones

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