Employment Minister Andrew Smith last night told the National Training Organisations' National Council that government and employer investment in education and skills are crucial to national prosperity and to the achievement of social inclusion.

The Minister said: "Our future prosperity depends on our ability to produce high value added goods and services. Our ability to produce and sell these high value added goods is dependent on us having the right people with the right skills."

He went on to review the progress in educational achievement and the latest government initiatives for adult and lifelong learning.

But he added, "Meeting the skill needs of the economy cannot be solely the responsibility of the government. Employers, employees and communities in general have a key role to play - it is essential that we work in partnership.

"Employers will be the largest single group on the Learning and Skills Council. They will have a key role in ensuring that the national strategy for post-16 learning devised by the LSC reflects the skill needs of employers."