11 March 2020
Dear editor,
In the face of uncertainty and with a heightened risk of economic downturn, we need to focus on improving productivity and building business resilience. Businesses must have the right processes and people in place to ensure continuity and, perhaps most importantly, future growth.
This is a great challenge – and to thrive, we need to invest in both digital transformation and our talent pool. Having a well-trained, tech-savvy workforce able to leverage new and emerging technologies will make or break our success.
Yet our recent survey of UK workers revealed that 37% of UK workers don’t currently feel that they need to learn new skills despite a growing demand for digital and soft skills in the job market. In order to address our country’s skills gap and deteriorating productivity, lifelong learning, upskilling and continuous professional development need to play a bigger part in the Government agenda.
Yours sincerely,
Andrew Harding FCMA, CGMA
Chief Executive — Management Accounting
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, part of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants