THE UK economy will be "blown away" unless workforce skills reach those in China and India, a Government minister warned in Kent.

Bill Rammell, Minister for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, told 200 training chiefs in Ashford that there was a huge thirst for learning in India and China.

He said: "That is the challenge we are facing. Unless we face up to the skills challenge, unless we upskill in a significant way, we will quite simply be blown away by the global competition."

The UK was the 10th largest economy in the world but that position was "not a given".

He recalled history. "Economies come and go, they ebb and flow, and unless we work at it, we really will be blown away by global competition."

Speaking at the Skills for Local Prosperity Conference in Ashford International Hotel, Mr Rammell reminded his audience that Kent and Medway faced significant challenges.

It had fewer qualified people than the regional average, with less than a quarter of working age adults were qualified to Level 4 or above.

"In short, there are too many residents in Kent and Medway with no qualifications. In some areas, such as Thanet, Shepway and Swale, levels of literacy and numeracy are well below the national average."

But Mr Rammell praised the county for what it was doing to address the problems. That was especially important in a county which has growth areas in North Kent and Ashford.

People would need the right skills to seize all the opportunities coming their way, he said.

"Be bold and creative," he told delegates.