Employer
bodies have criticised the Learning and Skills Council’s draft training plan
for failing to take greater account of employers’ needs.
They want more employer representation on the boards of Local Skills
Councils so they can influence training and education strategies.
Mike Cannell, adviser on training and development at the CIPD, said,
"You want employer input because skills shortages and demands are always
local. The only people who know about the shortages are the employers."
He also called for CIPD members to be allowed to sit on the local boards.
While the plans indicate that employers will represent 40 per cent of the
local boards, Ann Bailey, head of education and training affairs at the EEF,
wants more input from employer bodies and engineering employers.