"Skill levels in UK manufacturing are worse than in the rest of the UK economy," he claimed. "Manufacturing employers provide fewer training days, devote less management time and are less likely to have a training plan."
The government should introduce levies for sectors, such as printing, that were not meeting targets or training obligations, he added.
The BPIF’s refusal to recommend a statutory training levy caused the GPMU to withdraw its support for all Print 21 initiatives, including the bid for an industry forum (PrintWeek, 16 August).
The BPIF was due to hear this week if its bid had been successful, but there was no news as PrintWeek went to press.
The GPMU says that new regulations for fixed-term employees’ rights are not enough, claiming the government has "watered down" the European directive.
Story by Rachel Barnes
