Qualifications that prepare our people for the challenges of the workplace have for too long suffered the 'Cinderella syndrome'

Manufacturers' leader Paul Lester

The paper sets out a range of new A-levels and GCSEs in vocational subjects, in areas such as engineering, manufacturing and tourism.

President of the EEF, Paul Lester, told business and political leaders in a speech in London on Monday that the country's future would depend upon technical and specialist expertise.

"Qualifications that prepare our people for the challenges of the workplace have for too long suffered the 'Cinderella syndrome', in the minds of parents, teachers and students," Mr Lester said.

"Yet for years, employers have been warning of the productivity penalty we pay if our skills system falls short of the standards set by the best in the world.

"Government must take the necessary steps to ensure our education infrastructure nurtures a level playing field of opportunity, and no longer supports the myths that surround the vocational route.

"This means bringing employers closer to teachers, parents and students, creating ever stronger links and understanding, and ensuring our skills framework is super-responsive to our competitive needs."

Languages

Mr Lester also spoke of the need for British children to learn other modern foreign languages.

His concerns echo those of European ambassadors who claim UK-based businesses are losing one in 10 contracts because staff did not speak other languages.

"We have the reputation, most critically across our biggest export market, Europe, for a comparative weakness to communicate in the language of our customers, a reputation of which we should be ashamed," said Mr Lester.

"To compete effectively, the modern workplace demands a rich mix of specialist and wider skills, like languages and communication.

"Parents, teachers and students must be made to realise that for a successful career in say, engineering, modern languages are not just an option to consider, but a critical necessity," he warned.