Cheese said: "Employers have a vested interest in actively developing their own pipelines of future talent and need to take more of a lead in developing the workforce of the future.
"If they're left to stand on the sidelines as passive consumers, the education and training system will never deliver the skills employers need to grow their businesses and contribute to economic growth.
"That's why it's so crucial to give employers more opportunities to lead when it comes to skills funding and setting the standards for the quality outcomes industry requires to support growth."
Cheese added: "It also ensures the debate about skills and training does not exist in its own "bubble", but forms an integral part of discussions about long-term business planning and growth strategies."
On Tuesday 27 November, HR magazine will host a live web TV debate bringing together experts to discuss practical steps to transform the skills and productivity of the UK's working age population.
The debate will feature views from:
Mike Williams, director of people development at DeVere Hotels and Village Urban Resorts, on how the 6,000-employee group approaches skills development.
Dr Paul Sissons, senior researcher at The Work Foundation, on the scale of the problem and what employers need to do to address it.
Dereth Wood, director of operations at learndirect, on achieving cost-effective results through agility and flexibility in skills training.
To register for our LIVE HR Lunchtime Debate on 27 November 2012 at 13.00 please click here
