The government has singled out the need to improve employees’ ICT capabilities in a new report on workplace skills. The white paper, Skills: Getting on in Business, Getting on at Work, released this week by the Department for Education and Skills singles out skills in information and communications technology, stating: “The pervasiveness of ICT, both at work and for leisure purposes, means that functional competence in using ICT needs to be counted as an essential skill for the modern world.”

As reported by Silicon, the paper also calls for the improvement of ICT education in schools, particularly for 14-to-19 year olds, and highlights how adults can receive ICT training though venues such as government-backed learndirect facilities. The report also underlines the importance of providing internet and computer access for people who do not have these facilities at home.

In response to the white paper, Karen Price, CEO of e-skills UK said: “The future of business in the UK depends upon its ability to exploit IT effectively for competitive advantage - and this requires skills at a much higher level. ” As part of its effort to improve workplace skills, the governement’s new National Employer Training Programme (NETP) will provide public funds for workplace training.

The New Statesman’s Skills For Business Supplement is available here.