如何解决技能鸿沟？
一面是企业人才难求，一面是浩荡的待业大军。如何使求职者具备市场需求的技能，企业和政府需要携手努力。本文是FT社论。
测试中可能遇到的词汇和知识：
STEM 指科学（S）、技术（T）、工程（E）、数学（M）
apprenticeship [ə'prentɪ(s)ʃɪp] 学徒制度
Minding Europe's yawning skills gap （667 words）
The UK's Local Government Association last month predicted that, by 2022, millions of Britons would be fit only for jobs that no longer existed. According to its forecasts, 9.2m low-skilled workers would be chasing 3.7m low-skilled jobs.
Meanwhile, in a survey conducted in the second quarter, the CBI, the employers' organisation, warned that two in five companies cannot find staff with the required skills in science, technology, engineering and maths.
Britain is not the only country facing a skills crunch. In continental Europe, despite a region-wide unemployment rate of nearly 12 per cent, and youth unemployment of close to 25 per cent, employers struggle to find workers with the qualifications they need.
The problem is not only in finding graduates. There are not enough skilled technicians. For every STEM graduate sought by UK companies, the CBI points out, they need five to six people with key technical skills. An ageing population also means that Europe will struggle to replace the retiring generation of skilled workers.
While national and regional governments perceive the problem, their responses differ across Europe. Unsurprisingly, youth unemployment is lowest in countries, such as Germany and Austria, which have the most effective apprenticeship schemes. But others are now trying to catch up.
The European Alliance for Apprenticeships is one of several region-wide bodies attempting to address the issue. Britain has implemented many of the recommendations of the 2012 Richards Review, which aims to improve the quality of apprenticeships. But there is more to be done.
Schools and universities need to get better at turning out graduates with the knowledge and aptitudes that businesses require. Too often UK companies have to divert resources to tackle weaknesses in basic skills of numeracy, literacy and IT competence, much of it directed at young people joining from school and college.
And while progress is being made, business should do more to train staff. An increasing number of companies across Europe are offering apprenticeships and provision is spreading into new sectors such as professional services.
Companies like Rolls-Royce have extended their scheme down the supply chain. But still, half of Britain's small and medium-sized enterprises have no apprentices at all. Creating hubs so smaller businesses can connect with schools and universities, or receive advice on accessing government support for apprenticeships, is one necessary step.
Businesses should engage more with schools to make the case for choosing a career involving STEM skills. In particular, they must make this case to girls, whose STEM qualifications across Europe lag behind those of boys.
Several are doing so. National Grid, the UK gas and electricity network operator, has teamed up with charity City Year to get the message across in primary schools. But more large companies must take the lead in explaining to schools and universities what the skills are that they require, not just now but in the future.
Making sure young people have the right skills is only half of the battle. Retraining and retaining older people to meet the demands of fast-changing workplaces is equally important. In the car industry, for example, where 30 years ago mechanical engineers were the greatest requirement, now it is electrical engineers.
Companies must also rethink financial incentives. Despite bewailing the lack of engineers, for example, most bankers' salaries still trump those of engineers.
Money is not the only reason to pursue a career; job security and satisfaction matter too. But higher pay would attract more engineers and it cannot be overlooked as an incentive.
请根据你所读到的文章内容，完成以下自测题目：
1.Which country of the followings has the lowest youth unemployment rate?
A.Britain
B.Germany
C.France
答案(1)
2.Workers with what kind of skills are most wanted?
A.STEM skills
B.Language skills
C.Social skills
答案(2)
3.Which statement is true according to the author?
A.European girls receive more STEM education than boys.
B.Mechanical engineers are the greatest requirement.
C.Bankers' salaries still trump those of engineers.
答案(3)
4.What can we infer from the article?
A.It is easier for graduates studying history to find a job than those from STEM.
B.To improve the quality of apprenticeships won't help the skills gap.
C.Not only should countries train young population but also the elders.
答案(4)
* * *
(1)答案：B.Germany
解释：文章第五段提到，在德国和奥地利这些学徒制比较有效的国家，年轻人的失业率最低。
(2)答案：A.STEM skills
解释：文章第四段提到，对每一个STEM专业的毕业生，英国的公司都有5到6个职位提供，意味着STEM毕业生供不应求。
(3)答案：C.Bankers' salaries still trump those of engineers.
解释：文中提到欧洲国家女生所接受的STEM教育普遍低于男生，而汽车行业中机械工程师供不应求也是30年前的事了，银行家的工资现在仍高于工程师。
(4)答案：C.Not only should countries train young population but also the elders.
解释：倒数第三段提到使年轻人具备就业所需的技能只是解决现在就业市场问题的一部分，同时还要为大龄工人提供相关的技能培训，以使其满足市场需求。
