This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Work-based learning on the rise
07/06/2002
Scotland's businesses are the country's largest
investors in lifelong learning but those working in small
firms are losing out, it was claimed today.
Lifelong Learning Minister Iain Gray was responding to
publication of a Glasgow University report,
Delivery of Work-Based Learning, which examines the extent and nature of learning
in the workplace and how it might be increased.
Key findings (
summary) from the study include that 72% of employers
have increased the volume of work based learning over
recent years, and 78% of employees surveyed had
participated in work based learning over the previous 12
months.
However, there were marked variations by employer size
and occupational group. The report shows that 38% of
employees in organisations with less than 25 employees
claimed to have received no training in the last 12 months,
compared with 15% in organisations with over 250
employees.
Mr Gray said:
"Learning and skills are at the heart of our economic
agenda. Learning within the workplace plays a vital role in
our ability to compete and to raise productivity.
"Employers invest an estimated £2.2 billion a year in
workplace learning in Scotland, more than any public
agency. Yet this report highlights serious inequalities in
provision with those in small companies, in low skilled and
low paid jobs losing out.
"We need to increase the demand for learning within the
workplace. That means increasing the awareness of the
benefits of learning to employee and employer alike and
increasing the support for learning.
"The Executive is already considering the introduction
of Business Learning Accounts to stimulate the demand for
learning in the workplace and we expect to reintroduce
Individual Learning Accounts once the process of validation
on the initial scheme has run its course.
"Employers and individuals need access to information
and advice on learning opportunities to help them make
informed choices.The Scottish Executive is working closely
with Scotland's businesses to ensure that all those who
need training receive it so that our small businesses
prosper and grow."
The study, undertaken between October 2000 and April
2001, presents the findings of surveys of 270 Scottish
employers, principally small to medium sized enterprises,
and over 500 employees of these organisations. Interviews
were also held with representatives from National Training
Organisations, HIE and SEn, CBI Scotland, STUC and others
with a stake in work based learning.