Next year's general election will require policy programmes which pass the ‘Manifesto for Work’ test if the economic recovery is to be sustained, according to the professional body for HR and people development.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development has published its ‘Manifesto for Work’, a call to the UK's political parties to focus on the issues facing employers and the workforce in the run up to the general election.

Nerissa Williams, vice chair CIPD South East Wales, said: “The issues addressed are relevant to the particular challenges Wales faces in terms of its economic policy and the businesses that operate here. Our labour landscape is changing and employers in Wales need to keep pace with new flexible ways of working in order to attract, retain and develop the right skills and talent for their organisations.

“Issues such as prompting gender diversity at the top of Welsh organisations and supporting opportunities for young people to succeed in moving from education to employment though careers advice and guidance need to be tackled. We also need to improve work incentives to support the economically inactive and develop further ways into sustainable employment from long term unemployed and others facing particular challenges entering the labour market.

"Our economy is growing at a steady rate, but we need to attract more inward investment companies. Wales has huge potential to offer the UK and overseas business markets and we need to be able to demonstrate that we have a skilled and talented workforce to fill these future roles.

“A concerted focus from the next government on building better work and working lives, driven by a new Workplace Commission, can help shape a better and more prosperous future for organisations, current and future employees.”