By Dr Richard Wilson –
If we are to close the productivity gap between the UK and other G7 countries then we must continue to take steps to improve skills, education and training. So it was good to see the Chancellor announce in his Budget plans to fund more PhD students in STEM and new technology subjects and plans to introduce T-Levels. Currently, the UK produces a small proportion of technically educated people. Just 10 per cent of adults hold technical qualifications as their highest qualification, which leaves the UK 16th out of 20 OECD countries. It’s important that the Government’s new T-Levels help to increase the proportion of people qualified in technical qualifications and provide clear progression routes to higher education.