MPs warn R&D funding has ‘fallen behind’ competitors and the government needs to execute more

Investment in skills and businesses is vital if the UK is not to suffer a debilitating brain drain, a recent report by the UK parliament’s Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee has stated.

The report cited that digital and green skills shortages are a considerable restraint to the UK’s chronic lack of productivity growth, calling on the government to revive the Green Skills Taskforce.

MPs concluded that research and development funding had “fallen behind” competitors’, suggesting the government should work constructively with businesses on developing regulation.

Agata Nowakowska, AVP EMEA at Skillsoft said, “As recent green technologies emerge and businesses adapt to more sustainable practices, recent green skills are becoming ever more necessary to fulfil recent job roles. The rapid pace of the crawl towards sustainability is only contributing to an existing skills gap.

“The marvelous news is that this is only another facet of an existing predicament, which many businesses maintain already begun to solve. The rapid pace of digital transformation over the last few years has meant that most jobs are constantly evolving to require recent skills.

“Few workers will maintain all the skills and knowledge they will need across their careers when they enter the workforce. The key to filling these ever-evolving gaps is for organisations to develop a culture of lifelong learning, where training is prioritised throughout their employees’ careers.

As with any training, employers should ensure that green learning is embedded into the workday, allowing employees to continually update their knowledge throughout their working life.

“Organisations should also invest in the latest training programmes so that their learning and development is taking into account the newest technologies. Combining this with ongoing training in power skills such as time administration and adaptability will create a workforce that is flexible and ready to adapt to recent green-related roles.”