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15th Annual Conference in London, 21st and 22nd November 2010 |
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The business of learning A constant conference theme was the need to put skills and lifelong learning at the forefront of policy as a means of boosting prowess in the areas that are crucial to economic performance and social modernisation. |
Peter Marsh and John Hayes MP |
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John Hayes MP, UK Minister for Further Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills |
Surpassing Germany “Far too many young people go to university without getting the practical skills needed in today’s world. I am passionate in favour of apprenticeships. There is much to learn from Germany, but I want to go to further than the Germans. As long as I am in the job, skills will be at the top of our agenda. One day we will be telling the Germans what they can learn from us.” |
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Kornelia Haugg, Head of Department for Vocational Training, German Ministry of Education and Research |
Holistic process “‘Learning for Jobs’ is a holistic educational process that starts in early childhood and extends beyond employment. We need enough skilled staff for the future to deal with the emerging shortage of skilled labour – approaching 2 million by 2020, according to a McKinsey study, particularly in MINT careers (mathematics, informatics, natural sciences and technology) which is central to are Germany’s economic performance.” Download speech |
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Lord Kenneth Baker, Co-chairman, Baker Dearing Educational Trust |
Creating technicians “The British killed technical schools. The Germans didn’t make that mistake. The Germans adopted the route of selected technical high schools after the war. That’s one of the reasons why they have done so well. We are creating technicians. They’re needed to build nuclear power stations, high speed rail links, broadband networks. If we’re going to accomplish this we will need hundreds of thousands of technicians.” |
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Steve Holliday, Chairman, Technician Council; Chief Executive, National Grid |
Role model "We’re trying to make ‘technician’ a word in English and German that really means something. In chemical engineering, the food industry, pharmaceuticals or IT, how can we turn the technician into a role model? We have to change this picture of engineers as people smeared with grease, with dirt under their fingernails. Girls are 10 times less likely to become engineers than lawyers." |
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