ABSTRACT
There has been a considerable amount of interest in recent years in the extent to which the economic performance of nation states can be improved by enhancing the skills of their workforces. Increasingly, the quality of their stock of human resources has been identified as a critical source of improved competitiveness (see Porter, 1990; Reich, 1991), particularly as economic and technological changes are perceived to reduce demand for workers without formal qualifications. The view of a previous United Kingdom (UK) government illustrates a common perception:
Unlocking the potential of individual people by giving them the chance to acquire skills and qualifications will be of greatest importance in the years ahead. It will not only determine success and self-fulfilment for individuals themselves. It will also be essential to sustain a successful national economy in an increasingly competitive world.
