Dear readers,

At Edexcel, we continue to prepare for the launch of the upcoming EEE interview series, which features professionals from Poland, Spain, and the Netherlands. Time and time again, our participants emphasised the gap that exists between the skills of new graduates and the requirements of the workforce.

As the economy begins to stabilise globally, this concept will become increasingly important. More businesses will be looking for more skilled workers. And, if current trends continue, the supply will fail to meet the demand, creating problems in the workplace as well as the bottom line.

Many countries are overcoming unprecedented deficits. We must be certain that when countries emerge from economic distress, they are not left with a deficit of skills.

To begin to overcome the skills gap, we believe we must:

1. Conduct research. We need to be able to acutely pinpoint the problem that businesses are facing. Research like the EEE project doesn't just look at the education system; instead, it represents the employers. Identifying which skills the 21st Century workplace requires will help us craft a system that works.
2. Evaluate existing programmes. What programs exist globally? Which ones work best? Which ones are the most cost effective? Which elements don't work at all? Can the programme be scaled up to a nationwide level?
3. Act quickly. There is urgency in the quest for effective education for employment. Countries are emerging from the crisis now to find a workforce that doesn't match with 21st Century workplace needs.

Please use the comment section of our website to share your stories, experiences, and recommendations regarding the distance between education and the workplace. We are excited to be involved in this process and hope that you are looking forward to reviewing our upcoming interview series.

Best wishes,
Ross