Groups and Committees

Professionalism Working Group

Leitch review of skills

Since the publication of the 'Leitch Review of Skills: Prosperity for all in the global economy', http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/independent_reviews/leitch_review/review_leitch_index.cfm, Sector Skills Councils have been gearing up to deliver the objectives laid out, including making the UK a world leader in skills by 2020.  To achieve this Sector Skills Councils have been tasked with engaging with employers and encouraging them to specify the types of skills they need from prospective employees.  The reports findings are especially relevant to Intellect's member companies, whose ability to compete depends on them attracting, retaining and investing in people with the right skills for today and tomorrow.  

Key findings

The Leitch report identified skills as a vital determinant of prosperity, driving national productivity and employment, businesses ability to take advantage of new opportunities and individuals' career prospects.  However, in a rapidly changing global economy the UK cannot afford to stand still. Despite having made good progress over the last decade, aspects of the UK's skills base remain weaker than those in other developed economies:

• out of 30 OECD countries, the UK lies 17th on low skills, 20th on intermediate skills and 11th on high skills
• 5 million adults in the UK lack functional literacy
• 17 million adults in the UK have difficulty with numbers
• more than one in six young people leave school unable to read, write or add up properly.

Key recommendations

The report recommends that the UK commits to a becoming a world leader in skills by 2020.  This means increasing skills attainment at all levels by 2020.  'Economically valuable skills' must be delivered through a demand-led approach, facilitated by a new culture of learning, and an appetite for improved skills amongst individuals and employers.  Lord Leitch recommends radical change across the whole skills spectrum by: 

• increasing skill attainments at all levels
• strengthening the employer voice on skills, increasing employer engagement and investment in skills and reforming Sector Skills Councils
• launching a new 'pledge' for employers to voluntarily train more employees at work
• increasing employer investment in higher level qualifications, especially in apprenticeships and in degree and postgraduate levels
• raising people's aspirations and awareness of the value of skills
• government to introduce compulsory education or workplace training up to age 18 following introduction of new diplomas and expanded apprenticeship route

Intellect is engaged with e-skills UK and the other members of the ProfIT alliance to develop skills and  professionalism in the industry.

08/05/06 - Press Release: Intellect begins consultation on IT professionalism for organisations

May 2006: Organisational Professionalism Guidelines: An Intellect Consultation (PDF 159KB)

January 2006 - IT Supplier Professionalism: An Intellect Perspective (202KB)