Leitch Report and Skills for Life

The final report of the Leitch review of the UK’s long term skills needs called for 95% of British adults to have basic numeracy and literacy by 2020.

The Government commissioned Sandy Leitch in 2004 to undertake an independent review of the UK’s long term skills needs. The Review published its interim report “Skills in the UK: the long term challenge” in December 2005. It committed the Review, in its final report, to identify the UK’s optimal skills mix for 2020 to maximise economic growth, productivity and social justice, set out the balance of responsibility for achieving that skills profile and consider the policy framework required to support it.

The final report of the Leitch Review of Skills, ‘Prosperity for all in the global economy – world class skills’, was published on 5th December 2006.

In the report, Lord Leitch recommends making full or part-time education or training compulsory up until the age of 18.

He wanted 95% of British adults to have basic numeracy and literacy by 2020.

Employers should have more say over training and a new careers service should be created in England, he added.

The report urged ministers to commit to a “compelling new vision” and to become a world leader in skills by 2020.

By this date Lord Leitch wanted to see:

• 95% of adults gain basic skills in literacy and numeracy, with the government primarily responsible for funding
• More than 90% of adults with GCSEs or vocational equivalents with funding shared between the government and employers
• Apprenticeships boosted to 500,000 a year
• More than 40% of adults with degrees or higher level qualifications, mostly funded by employers or individuals

To read the report in full, click here