As proposals for the biggest shake-up in education for decades make the headlines, the FSB is warning that the current system is failing small businesses.

More and more youngsters are considering working for small businesses – but too often they leave school ill-equipped with poor literacy, numeracy and IT skills.

Employees say they also lack much needed employability skills such as team working, communication and problem solving.

Britain’s biggest business organisation put these concerns to the working group led by Mike Tomlinson, which produced today’s report.

Despite concerns about an overhaul of the entire system, the FSB supports the Tomlinson report’s proposals of a renewed focus on literacy and numeracy and improvements to vocational qualifications.

FSB Education Chairman Norman Mackel said:

“The development of core learning skills is of paramount importance to small firms, who often complain that young people are ill-equipped for work.

“A clearer qualification structure will also be of benefit as the current plethora of qualifications is a source of confusion to many small firms.

“Strengthening vocational learning for young people is vital. A lack of experienced teachers, badly designed courses and a lack of work experience have hindered the take-up of courses and strengthened the misconception that vocational courses are not a quality career choice for young people.

“However, small firms remain wary of a complete overhaul of the current system. Any new system must be properly sold to employees so they appreciate the changes. But the FSB is pleased to see that the Tomlinson Report recommends a 10 year phasing in of any changes.”

Ends

Notes to Editors:

1.       The FSB is Britain's biggest business organisation with 185,000 members.  It exists to protect and promote the interests of the self employed, and all those who run their own business.  More information is at: www.fsb.org.uk.

Contacts:

FSB Chief Spokesman

Stephen Alambritis: 07788422155

FSB Press Office (ISDN available):

David Bishop:  020 7592 8113 / 07740 076848

Daniel Mazliah:  020 7592 8128 / 07717 861605