The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) congratulates all students receiving their A-level results today. We celebrate their academic achievements and the dedication that got them here.
For many, these results mark the beginning of their journey into higher education. But as we celebrate their achievements, we are also reminded of the urgent need to better prepare future generations for a rapidly changing world of work.
To excel in this new landscape, young people need more than academic knowledge. They must develop skills that combine technological fluency with human insight and judgement, enabling young people to solve real-world problems with confidence. This demands a shift in focus towards building capabilities in problem-solving, critical thinking, data analysis, and communication. These are the core competencies essential for success in the knowledge economy.
Accounting, alongside other Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects, offers these fundamental building blocks. But in a world where technology provides instant access to knowledge and data, the UK must rethink its education system beyond "rote learning."
We need a comprehensive skills strategy, aligned with the UK’s Industrial Strategy, that not only supports the development of regional skills hubs but also builds a workforce to serve key sectors and power future economic growth.
Paul Turner, Vice President – UK and Ireland at The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, said:
“We’re already seeing entry-level jobs being eroded by AI-driven technologies, while employers continue to report growing skills gaps that are holding their organisations back. This will only worsen if opportunities to build early career experience continue to disappear and we fail to equip young people with the work-ready skills they need.”
“The government must support our most productive industries and sectors to develop future talent. Measures such as narrowing the range of Level 7 apprenticeships risk undermining efforts to tackle workforce shortages, improve social mobility, and boost productivity – not just now, but in the years to come.”