So when do you reckon we can say we're over the worst?

fc123

GingerSte wrote: »

(Rant over. Thank you for reading)

And thank you for taking the time to write it.

Bangladesh are having protests over wages at the the mo.

Link here.....no link afterall as the Times is now subscription only....and I was going to link as I actually bought a copy to read in depth budget stuff. Came across the Bangladesh clothing workers article as an add on.

lostinrates

GingerSte wrote: »

. Subjects like law are useful in this country, but can be only of limited use in other countries (with other laws). Archaeology is a very worthy subject IMO, but those historical artefacts will just stay underground a little longer if fewer students are trained.

This bit made me smile. My DH read Archaeology and Anthropology for his first degree,and equally ''vague'' second degree, which gave him an international career in his early twenties and is now working in International law. Once qualified in UK it is possible to become qualified in other jurisdictions. International law is a significant part of the work of most City law firms at least, as they work with global corps and multinationals. I agree the majority of UK lawyers will not be qualified in other countries, and yet there still remain opportunities to work as a Solicitor (English/Welsh law) around the world in the International firms.

When_is_the_reset?

GingerSte wrote: »

In which case we need to "adjust our sails", to use the earlier quote. We have to increase the skill level of a large majority of our population so that we can compete. We have an edge in high-tech work (whether it be electronic, mechanical or other) and an edge in design, and we do make a lot out of that.

But we also have an edge in quality. I have heard it said many times that the quality of products built in certain countries is abysmal, and that they are reconsidering their position accordingly. If we can augment that with flexibility, by training people to do more than just one little job, then that would help enormously.

We also benefit from being able to export our goods to places in Europe a lot faster. China may be able to produce large quantities cheap goods, but they have to transport them very long distances by ship. By using that flexibility I mentioned, UK PLC can make smaller quantities of not-so-cheap goods, and have them delivered to France, Germany or Spain before the Chinese factories have even retooled (mainly because they get a lot of their tooling machinery from us).

And now the bad news. We won't become more competitive in the global marketplace by training up vast numbers of people in subjects like sociology and media studies. Subjects like law are useful in this country, but can be only of limited use in other countries (with other laws). Archaeology is a very worthy subject IMO, but those historical artefacts will just stay underground a little longer if fewer students are trained.

We do have to promote engineering, maths and science in our schools, and also show our pupils how useful they can be (I know how dry maths can be at times, but it underpins practically all engineering). The good news (for me) is that I believe shows like Top Gear and Extreme Engineering are promoting engineering again in the UK. I would predict (and like to see) numbers of mech eng students increasing in the next few years.

And finally, we have to take a long term view. Our banks have ignored the light industrial sector in favour of encouraging daytime TV viewers to buy property and let it out (hence Sheffield Forgemasters). A rebalancing in favour of industrial loans would provide the necessary kickstart that we need.

(Rant over. Thank you for reading)

I didn't read it - apart from the bit that says 'Rant over. Thank you for reading'.

I have always preferred Basingstoke myself.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

When_is_the_reset? wrote: »

I have always preferred Basingstoke myself.

Old Basing maybe.......

sabretoothtigger

fc123 wrote: »

Bangladesh are having protests over wages at the the mo.

Economic policy led by the people not the politicians should shake things up

So when do you reckon we can say we're over the worst?

When government spends less then they have incoming we can say the situation is starting to become less worse for sure.
Thats in five years time apparently

treliac

So when do you reckon we can say we're over the worst?

Not while our debt is increasing at the rate of 10 grand a minute.

StevieJ

kabayiri wrote: »

I've worked with Indian IT guys quite a lot, and I think I know their ability level.

But I'm interested to know why you think English skills are higher Stevie? Maybe your experience is different.

Are you using yourself as the UK control example for comparison purposes

roy62

The next election when the Tories get kicked out.

Kohoutek

GingerSte wrote: »

Subjects like law are useful in this country, but can be only of limited use in other countries (with other laws).

Most major international commercial transactions are conducted under US or English law, even though both parties often are not American or British.

Law is a very oversubscribed subject at undergraduate and postgraduate level though.

GingerSte wrote: »

We do have to promote engineering, maths and science in our schools, and also show our pupils how useful they can be (I know how dry maths can be at times, but it underpins practically all engineering). The good news (for me) is that I believe shows like Top Gear and Extreme Engineering are promoting engineering again in the UK. I would predict (and like to see) numbers of mech eng students increasing in the next few years.

I certainly hope so, but it would have to start by removing the garbage that has been added to the GCSE Science curriculum by the last government at the expense of hard science, e.g. healthy eating and 'scientific ethics'.

I think the best way to save hard subjects from decline is to introduce variable tuition fees, and make degrees in subjects that are linked to skills shortages in the economy cheaper to study.

IveSeenTheLight

When can you say we'll be over the worst?
Now.
England have been dire in this World Cup and surely can no longer 'expect' to be challangers.
I've had no enjoyment watching the England Games, roll on Spain and Argentina, their worth watching