Chancellor Gordon Brown reiterated his vision for a high-skills Britain, this week.

Speaking at the TUC Conference in Brighton, Brown said that skills were essential to Britain remaining competitive on the global stage.

“It is because increasingly it is the skills of working people that gives companies value and gives nations comparative advantage, that new principles must guide education and training in ensuring good well paying jobs for the future, “ he said.

“Education should no longer be from five to 16 but on offer from three to 18, every teenager should have the right to further education, and every adult the guarantee of training in basic skills,” the Chancellor added.

Brown also announced that the new union academy is to receive £4.5m in funding in the next two years.

The academy is planned to offer guidance on training for employers and employees with courses ranging from basic skills to MBAs. It is also expected to serve as a think tank and a skills research centre.