DTI highlights role of languages for UK

The Department of Trade and Industry’s White Paper, Making globalisation a force for good, has underlined the importance of languages and cultural skills for UK businesses. The report sets out the Government’s vision for UK trade and investment policy, and highlights the relationship between the UK and trade partners in Europe and beyond

The White Paper, presented by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Patricia Hewitt, cites language skills as one of the key areas for development, stating that, 'broader language skills help individuals to operate effectively in the global workplace'. Drawing attention to the need for skilled linguists, the paper points out that 20% of small-to-medium businesses are aware of losing business because of a lack of language skills.

In an assessment of successful initiatives to incorporate languages into a broad approach to developing management skills, the paper highlights the role of the Regional Language Networks project, initiated and supported by the DfES. 'The development of Regional Language Networks in some regions,' it states, 'has been led by the National Centre for Languages with the support and funding of Regional Development Agencies, UK Trade & Investment and the Learning and Skills Councils. These are business-led and designed to help ensure that the future provision of language and cultural skills meets the needs of businesses involved in international trade.'

The white paper also recommends investing in education and skills so that citizens are well equipped to operate in a modern, high-tech economy, as well as supporting the internationalisation of business through UK Trade and Investment and the Export Credits Guarantee Department.

Read the White Paper