Basic numeracy and literacy and IT top employers wish lists

Basic numeracy and literacy and IT skills are viewed as more important by employers than technical or sales techniques according to new research by London Chamber of Commerce and industry.

More than 500 business leaders across London were asked whether they valued certain skills and the most important was basic numeracy (92%) followed by basic IT (91%)

Problem solving (90%) and literacy and written communication (90%) were also seen as “very” or “fairly important”.

Meanwhile the research, carried out by ComRes, on behalf of LCCI found job specific skills are slightly less often considered important, including technical skills (86%) and customer and sales skills (85%).

Foreign language skills are the least likely to be considered important, although over half (55%) continue to identify this as so.

Chief Executive of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Colin Stanbridge said: “These results show that basic IT skills are assumed now, rather than a beneficial extra.

“But we also see that technical skills and customer and sales skills are hugely important. This is exactly why the Government needs to press ahead with the devolution of training for 16-18 years, vocational capital investments, careers information, advice and guidance, as well as the apprenticeship levy, starting with unspent levy funds.“