Employer Led Training

2.75 South West England also performs relatively well on measures of employer led training. Regionally, 15.9% of employees received job-related training in the four weeks preceding being surveyed (year ending March 2007) - a decrease of 0.7% on the previous year. The South West was above the national average rate for work related training (15.1%); the North East was the only region which had proportionately more of its employees in training during the period (18.8%). 

2.76 South West England performs comparatively well on most educational and training indicators. Certain industries, however, report specific skills gaps within the economy. With such a relatively well qualified workforce, it is surprising that the South West has comparatively low rates of productivity. In 2003, McVittie reported that the region has a relatively highly-skilled population but that the high skilled individuals are less likely to be employed and, if they are, are more likely to be employed part time than similar individuals from other regions. For a fuller discussion around skills, please refer to the Skills and Learning Chapter.