Fixing the skills crisis

The skills crisis is absolutely at the top of the agenda for Industry Forum members. Changes in immigration policies and inadequate education and skills training programmes are causing shortages in sectors including agriculture, healthcare, plumbing, programming and the leisure industries. This is currently hampering businesses and will be a restraint on growth. The Rt Hon Baroness (Jacqui) Smith of Malvern, Minister for Skills, will outline how the Labour government plans to tackle this issue and lead a discussion.