vocational skills nearly enough. so it's no wonder that this country does much worse in computer skills than our economic rivals. no wonder than our economic rivals. no wonder than fewer than half of employers believe young people have a digital skills required. think of all the students we effectively abandon at the age of 18. 40% leave education without essential qualifications, 40%. a lot without essential qualifications, a0%. a lot of these students could really flourish if they received a high quality technical training. yet funding per student in further education and sixth form colleges has fallen by 11% in real terms since 2010. and that's why today i am announcing my new council of skills advisers. david blunkett,