A Conservative MP has highlighted the importance skills training has for future generations as well as businesses in need of qualified staff.
Brian Binley, who represents Northampton South, made the comments after recent figures revealed there was a shortage of skilled workers in the region.
Statistics from the Education and Skills Council showed that nearly one in seven of Northamptonshire's potential workforce do not have any educational qualifications.
At the last count, there were 56,000 people in the county who did not have qualifications such as NVQs or GCSEs.
Mr Binley told the Northampton Chronicle and Echo: "If we don't take skills training seriously our children and grandchildren will be living in a third-rate nation."
He noted that local businesses might struggle if potential employees are not properly qualified for positions.
Many adult learners have reported that their career prospects were vastly improved by getting NVQ qualifications and other forms of skills training.
Earlier this month a grandmother in Wythenshawe, Manchester started a new office job with integrated services group Connaught after her NVQ level two in business administration helped her gain a voluntary placement with the firm.
There have also been examples of NVQ students becoming budding entrepreneurs by setting up their own businesses.
In August this year, the News Guardian reported that a pair of NVQ students who obtained qualifications in children's care, learning and development had successfully set up their own business in the form of a playgroup.
A recent study by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants revealed that nearly two-thirds of people in the UK would like to go into business for themselves, an ambition that might be easier to realise with the appropriate qualifications.
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