Skills for Justice warns of rocky road to recovery

Wednesday, 17 March 2010 12:00 AM

A report published today by the sector skills council Skills for Justice examines the skills needed within Professional and Financial Services, to help employers identify the key areas of skills development they need to navigate their way to recovery.

The report, produced in consultation with key employers, has fed into the Government's National Strategic Skills Audit, launched today by Lord Mandelson. The Audit shows that the last decade has seen unprecedented increases in the number of people with qualifications, but warns that for economic recovery to continue, skills development needs must be correctly identified and prioritised.

Professional and Financial Services was one of several 'Clusters' highlighted in the Government white paper New Industry, New Jobs as an area where the UK has a competitive advantage and which offers the potential for growth. These 'clusters' are defined as having significant potential to which the Government can make a difference to the prospect of growth or high-value employment by removing barriers to market.

The Professional and Financial Services 'Cluster' was led by Skills for Justice and involved the participation of four other sector skills councils: Financial Services, Asset Skills, ConstructionSkills and Summit Skills.

The report found that there are a wide range of current skills needs across the cluster. The three broad areas of important skills demand for the future are:
· managerial skills - particularly around partnership working, business planning and change management

· technical skills - in the financial sector around risk-management within firms and regulatory bodies

· advanced 'green' skills - across housing, property and construction.

Most immediately there is a need to ensure that the impact of the recession does not lead to de-skilling or create future bottlenecks through reduced entry-level recruitment.

Government policy has a key role in supporting the future growth of professional and financial services. There are two areas of particular concern

· the impact of increased regulation of financial services

· the impact of public spending cuts.

Alan Woods OBE, Chief Executive of Skills for Justice said

"Skills training and development must be flexible to accommodate new safeguards but also support the need to remain globally competitive and facilitate long-term economic growth. This is a key time for businesses providing professional and financial services, and the right skills development practices will help organisations navigate their way on the rocky road to recovery. Sector skills councils will play a crucial role in this, and we welcome support from the Government to act, on behalf of employers."

The report is now available at www.skillsforjustice.com/template01(or via the short URL -

Ends

Notes to editors

Skills for Justice is employer-led and works in partnership to ensure that organisations in the Justice sector have the necessary skills and staff to be productive, efficient and effective. We provides additional benefits and value through a coordinated approach to skills issues, better use of resources, increased ability to attract development funding into the sector and increased ability to meet the needs of the individual countries in the UK.

We provide this support through 3 main work programmes

· Engaging with and influencing employers, government departments, devolved administrations and all key partners.

· Understanding and articulating clearly the current and future skills needs of those working in the Justice sector

· Developing tools/services and implementing practical solutions to improve the skills of the workforce, working with employers, learning providers and individuals

We operate across the UK Justice sector, with offices in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, working with a variety of employers in Community Justice, Courts, Custodial Care, Fire & Rescue, Police and Law Enforcement, Prosecution, Forensic Science, and the Children's Workforce.

Employer organisations can benefit from our expert knowledge of workforce development by becoming a subscribing organisation.

To find out more about Skills for Justice, visit www.skillsforjustice.com/mediacentre. ">

Ally Mogg
Marketing & Communications
Skills for Justice
Centre Court | Atlas Way | Sheffield | S4 7QQ
T: 0114 231 7387 | M: 07795 960707
www.skillsforjustice.com

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