The author argues that the development of young people is a “national good” and that the business sector has an important role to play alongside the formal educational institutions. Yet, so far the training role undertaken by many companies has been narrowly focused on productivity enhancement of their existing workforce. Most companies appear reluctant to go beyond this; in part because of the fear that by providing more general training they will be in danger of either having their workforce poached by competitors or have them leave of their own accord for better paying jobs overseas.