CMI responds to the Autumn Statement

Anthony Painter, Policy Director at the Chartered Management Institute, said:

CMI welcomes the Chancellor’s focus on growing the economy through increased support for businesses both large and small. Investing in a skilled workforce will be key to that growth and we are pleased to see an increased investment in apprenticeships in areas with key shortages. We also encourage the Government to explore further tax measures to help employers make further necessary investments in skills.

The evidence tells us that UK employers continue to hesitate to fund meaningful, long-term training. A mixed approach of mandated investment through the Apprenticeship Levy and new incentives such as through further tax relief for standards-based training would be a welcome added intervention. Both measures, combined, would send the strongest possible message to employers that investing in people is vital to improved productivity.

The UK skills gaps, including the significant shortage of skilled managers in our economy, will not be addressed without this concerted, longer term approach to upskilling our workforce at every age and stage of people’s working lives. Quality, standards-based training such as management apprenticeships have been shown to deliver significant productivity gains and are playing their part in delivering both high-performing businesses that grow our economy and world-class public services that people can rely on throughout their lives.