Santander calls on government to focus on leadership, digital, and sustainability skills to future-proof UK economy
Santander UK has called on the government to prioritize leadership, digital and sustainability skills in its national skills program to tackle the UK’s manufacturing crisis and prepare workers for the future.
In a recently published report, Future Skills, Santander highlights three major societal changes—changing attitudes to work, the rise of AI, and the transition to Net Zero—that will impact Britain’s workforce. The report calls for increased investment in training and skills development to address these challenges.
The report reveals that UK workers are spending 20% less time on training than they did a decade ago, despite more than half admitting they need upskilling to stay relevant in their roles. Barriers such as time, cost, and lack of flexibility prevent workers from accessing training, which contributes to stagnant national productivity levels. In addition, 69% of workers expect to stay in the same field for their entire career, and 72% believe their jobs will still be there in 10 years—showing a lack of awareness of the potential impact of emerging technologies and societal changes.
Mike Regnier, CEO of Santander UK, emphasized the importance of education and skills development, saying: “The UK cannot afford to be left behind in this critical area if we want our economy to grow and remain competitive.” He called on the government to focus its skills in dealing with three key areas:
Changing attitudes to work:
The rise of hybrid working has presented new challenges for managers and leaders, with different perspectives on remote work. While 65% of 25-34 year olds view the mix as working well for the UK economy, only 27% of 55-64 year olds have the same opinion.
AI superiority:
As AI continues to transform industries, 63% of workers see a need for training on new technologies, while 47% of young workers worry that AI could change their jobs. Increasing competence in AI and digital technologies is seen as essential for increasing productivity and future-proofing jobs.
Transitioning to Net Zero:
As the UK moves towards its 2050 emissions targets, 58% of workers believe they will need new skills to adapt to their roles in the green economy. The report highlights the importance of equipping the workforce with sustainability skills to support the Net Zero transition.
In response to these challenges, Santander has launched a new adult education program in partnership with xUnlocked, Fearless Adventures, and House 337. The program, available at the Santander Open Academy, offers free, video-led training in green, digital, and leadership skills. for people over the age of 18. The goal is to help individuals and businesses prepare for the future by developing the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing economy.
Steph McGovern, host of The Rest is Money podcast and business journalist, added his support for lifelong learning, saying: “As the needs of the economy change, we must have the same attitude towards learning. We should think of education as your whole life. We all need to adapt, but workers cannot do that alone.”
Santander’s new initiative, combined with its call for government action, underlines the urgency of tackling the UK’s skills crisis. As the economy improves, Santander’s focus on developing key skills in leadership, digital technology, and sustainability will be key to driving future productivity and ensuring the UK remains globally competitive.
