The United Kingdom doesn't invest enough in training, according the the Engineering Employers' Federation. As a result, the proportion of the UK's workforce with intermediate skills is half that in Germany.

The EEF is drawing attention to these perceived skills shortages in a report, Unlocking Our Potential. Among the proposals put forward is the suggestion that the same funding opportunities for Modern Apprenticeships should be made available for training the over-25s as well.

The Federation attributes Britain's relatively poor productivity levels to an ongoing - and worsening - skills shortfall. The group, which is Britain's largest sector employers' association, hopes to gain the Chancellor's support for new measures to ease the financial burden of training before the forthcoming budget.