CONFRONTING THE SKILLS CRISIS: Smashing the low-skills culture

Britain's low productivity rate is the result of inadequate training provision for employees. The Government is tackling the skills shortfall head-on to ensure the availability of real talent across all sectors.

Ask a group of business leaders what really causes them grief and the chances are that red tape, late payment and skills shortages will all get a mention. Some headaches you may just have to live with, but business does have to be conducted within the rule of law, and at least late payers can now be charged interest.

Skills shortages are different - we can do something about them. Employers don't have to resign themselves to being permanently lumbered with inefficient human resources; passive acceptance of an under-skilled workforce is not a viable long-term strategy for any business organisation.