Most businesses and employers in the UK today will admit that there is a definite skills gap in their industry. That gap may be specifically related to knowledge of the particular sector, but more often that not, the skills that are lacking in the British workplace are often the most basic.

While we would all acknowledge that you can't get far without being able to read, write, follow instructions or demonstrate initiative, today's employers are looking for more than that. They're also looking for more than academic qualifications especially when it's likely that all candidates applying for the same job are likely to possess the same or similar exam results and certificates.

Regardless of whether you've left school at 16 with few or no qualifications or you're a university graduate with first class honours most employers these days will appoint the candidate they believe is most capable of doing the job, rather than just having knowledge of it. A grasp of basic IT skills and evidence of wanting to learn and gain new skills come top of most employers' wish lists when recruiting new candidates, along with team working and good communication skills.

With this in mind, it's worth considering what skills you do have, those you need to work on and others which you need to learn from scratch, before applying for the job of your dreams. Perhaps you can work your way around a computer, but need to do something about the speed and accuracy of your typing. Or maybe you need get to grips with the latest software packages and to gain a better understanding of data-bases and spread sheets.

With more than 70 centres across the UK, Pitman Training has helped thousands of individuals get back to work, fully equipped with the skills that today's employers are requiring, and at the same time, helping to fill the UK's skills gap. Offering a range of over 200 courses, from basic keyboard skills to diplomas in subjects such as public relations and business studies, Pitman Training's team of advisors will be able to help you choose the course which best suits you. Learn intensively or put in the hours as and when you can - regardless of how you choose to learn, all candidates achieve a nationally recognised certification on completion of their course.

To find out how Pitman Training can help you gain the skills that today's employers are crying out for, give your local centre a call or pop in and speak to a member of Pitman Training's experienced team of advisors.