The UK education system must pay more attention to vocational skills to prepare young people for work, according to the Director-General of the CBI.
In a New Year message, John Cridland said the education sector does not always cater for the needs of the country’s “streetwise and impressive” youngsters.
In order to help school pupils achieve their potential, he said A-Levels should be reformed to offer both academic and vocational subjects.
Mr Cridland added that those between the ages of 14 and 18 should be given the chance to select a “personal menu” of subjects based around their core strengths and interests.
He said: “This will involve the eventual abolition of GCSEs at 16, as peak level testing would then take place when students are 18.”
By looking to boost people’s skills while they are still at school, the expert said productivity levels and earnings should both go up.
While schools featured heavily in Mr Cridland’s New Year address, he also said employers have a key role to play.
He said: “Business will play its part by improving competitiveness, and creating opportunities for young people through apprenticeships and for older workers through workplace re-training.”
Looking at the wider economic picture, the CBI leader said positive signs can be seen, with the UK likely to grow by 2.5% over the coming 12 months.
However, he said that the Government will only meet its productivity targets by helping employers to improve the skills of the British workforce.
The general election in May is likely to cause political uncertainty over the next five months. But Mr Cridland said the party which forms a government following the election should focus on the economy and create a “launch pad” for young people.
The UK must remain an attractive place for companies to do business, he concluded, no matter the outcome of the May ballot.
