In a speech to the Trades Union Congress in Brighton, the PM said that Britain could be "the great success story" of the new global economic age and that the 21st century can be "Britain's century". The Government's task in coming years will be to "match workers needing jobs to the jobs needing workers", he said.
The PM said:
"It is absolutely essential that we ensure that British workers receive all the support, training and skills so they can share in the benefits of globalisation. The new jobs that are coming and the vacancies now available represent a great new opportunity for British young people and adults as never before.
"I want us to be ready and prepared for the biggest transformation in employment our economy has seen for a hundred years."
Mr Brown announced a variety of measures aimed at filling vacancies in the job market, including a fast-track system for job applicants and a matching service for apprentices and employers. All school-leavers from summer 2007 will have a guaranteed place on a pre-apprenticeship course, he said.
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