MORE than half of workers in the region do THE COUNTY faces a skills crisis, with more than half the workforce unable to meet employers' basic needs, according to new research.

Shock findings by the Learning and Skills Council for Kent and Medway (LSCKM) suggest that the situation is likely to get worse unless urgent action is taken to tackle the crisis.

Officials warn that the county, which is on the brink of an economic surge, will not be able to fulfil its potential without sufficient workforce skills.

Research shows that 51 per cent of workers are unable to participate effectively in the modern labour market because they do not have a basic Level 2 qualification.

The review of education and training for adults also reveals that nearly 30 per cent of workers have no qualifications at all and that more than 200,000 have poor literacy or numeracy skills.

A third of employers report that skills shortages are making it hard to fill key jobs. The council warns that the skills gap will get steadily worse if prompt action is not taken, because around two-thirds of all future jobs are likely to require workers to be qualified at Level 2 or above.

It defines Level 2 as the ability to apply knowledge and skills in a significant range of varied activities, some of which are complex or non-routine, with some degree of individual responsibility and autonomy. It goes on: "Collaboration with others, perhaps through membership of a work group or team, may often be a requirement."

The LSCKM is to spend some of its annual £200m budget on an action programme aimed a boosting workforce skills by working with businesses, colleges, training providers and others. The move is part of a Strategic Area Review (StAR) of all Kent and Medway education and training.

Colin Bentwood, Kent and Medway LSC's head of planning, said that without better skills training, the growth prospects for Kent and Medway could be blighted.

He said: "In particular, new growth in North Kent associated with the Thames Gateway initiative and growth at Ashford will bring many opportunities, but without the right skills local people will not be able to benefit.

"With the right planning and commitment we can ensure future prosperity for our area but we will have to act quickly or be left behind."

Mr Bentwood added: "We now have an excellent opportunity to put Kent and Medway on the right course for a high skills, high tech, and highly prosperous future.

"We need to build on the good work that many of our training providers are already undertaking but we also need to realise that a major new effort is needed if we are to remain nationally and internationally competitive.

"We have to ensure that the right pattern of training provision is in place and also ensure that the advice and support that people need to enter training is first rate. Our key message is that skills training needs to be a lifelong commitment for everyone in the workplace."

LSCKM director Trevor Sandford told KM-fm what they have been looking at...