The importance of the plan
This plan is created to unite employers, educators
2
and government around a common set of priorities, essential to the future of the UK in the Information Age. The UK's economic development is dependent on its businesses, large and small, embracing the opportunities afforded by technological advances - the Internet, the IT systems, the new communications options. But skills issues present a major challenge both to short term business competitiveness and to longer term survival and growth.
The 'e-skills' required for success in this emerging new world of opportunity range from the sophisticated blend of technical, business and personal skills demanded of IT professionals through to the basic IT user skills needed by most of today's workforce. These 'e-skills' are now a key determinant of business success.
The objective of this plan is to focus decisive action on skills, to the maximum benefit of the economy. The strategic framework described here, based on the needs of employers, caters for national, regional and local interests within a global context. Delivering the strategy will establish a new era of collaboration and rapid action on agreed highest priorities. Employers, educators and government, working together, can ensure that the UK is respected world-wide for its leadership in e-business and for the sustainable competitive advantage this offers industry.
This strategy will continually evolve over time, reflecting the needs of an industry in dramatic growth and change. Input is welcomed from all interested parties. Go to
Annex C
for a list of some of the main contributors.
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"If we follow this plan, we will have a breakthrough in aligning educators and government with employer needs. Partnership working at a strategic level between all these parties is the only way to solve today's major IT skills problems, and thereby accelerate productivity and competitiveness across the UK."
Alan Stevens
Managing Director Government Accounts,
EDS
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The e-skills NTO
The e-skills NTO is formally recognised by the government
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as 'The National Training Organisation for the Information Age', with responsibility for the IT industry and IT-related skills in other sectors. It addresses the skills issues driven by business exploitation of technology, ranging from basic IT user skills through to leading edge Internet services. With 34 staff, and a turnover of around £5 million p.a., the NTO delivers a portfolio of projects to address the skills issues of UK businesses. Particular progress has been made with programmes encouraging more graduates into the IT industry, transforming the capability of Colleges of Further Education, improving work-based learning, linking vendor qualifications to national standards and undertaking definitive primary research on skills needs.
Building on these foundations, the e-skills NTO will lead the implementation of this Strategic Plan over the coming three years, working in partnership with employers, the Government and other stakeholders. Progress and evolution of the plan will be managed by twice yearly assessment, and progress assessed in an Annual Report. The NTO is an employer-led, not-for-profit company. Further information is available under
About Us
.
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The term 'educators' as used in this document refers to professionals in both education and training, both publicly and privately funded.
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The Secretary of State for Education and Employment and the Lifelong Learning Ministers in the devolved administrations.
