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There's something each of us have in common.

We came into Labour to change the world.

And we wanted to change the world, so that we could change people's lives.

And that's what we are doing.

Just think;

Of one and a half million adults, parents, grandparents who today cannot read their children a story.

And think, in three years time: one and a half million adults, parents and grandparents starting to help with the homework.

That's Labour. Changing lives.

Think today of over half a million people who have left school, never been to university, never had the chance, didn't think it was for them. Perhaps some of you in this conference hall.

In three years time, embarked on their first university course.

That's Labour. Changing lives.

And you know, as we improve adult skills at every level, we won't just change adult lives.

When a parent sees new opportunities opening up, and discovers new ambitions - we know their children will have better opportunities; their children will have higher ambitions.

Once, we chose to make education our route to opportunity.

Today, we have no choice.

A global economy. Climate change. Extraordinary new technologies. People, money and knowledge ever more mobile.

Huge emerging nations with justifiably great ambitions.

These are powerful forces; enough to make anyone feel insecure. And they can have the harshest impact on those least equipped to respond.

But what I know is that together we can respond. Today's changes can be tomorrow's opportunities.

But only if we make the most of the talent and ability of every individual.

Only if we carry out world class science, research and scholarship.

Only if we turn fundamental research into world beating products and services. Not just things to sell, but bringing the world solutions to sustainable energy, cures for diseases, answers to an ageing society.

That's how change becomes an opportunity.

That's Labour's way.

Not the Tory way.

When David Cameron welcomed the Redwood report, he welcomed that said we should not plan for more young people to go to university.

David Cameron is wrong for our young people. Wrong for Britain.

He welcomed a report that would limit university to people with specific 'A' levels, slamming the door on people who left school early.

David Cameron is wrong for Britain.

And he's wrong for business too.

70% of the workforce of 2020 has already left school. The Tories just don't understand that every second one of us must up our skill level for Britain to succeed.

So it's Labour that is transforming the training system:

To meet the needs of the companies who will create the jobs of the future.

To meet the needs of the employees of the future.

For businesses we will make sure that our colleges and trainers offer the skills companies need at the place and time that is right for them.

For each individual, we will bring new rights to learn and train.

Two thirds of young English students will get grants at university.

We'll guarantee support for students from low income homes. We'll make loan repayments more flexible.

I've just introduced new Adult Learning Grants for 30,000 college students a year.

Over the next three years - Skills Accounts, the start of millions of people with the power to shape the training they will need.

A legal right to train for your first real qualification.

A young person's right to train for higher skills. And the right to an apprenticeship with real status.

A personal advancement service to guide and help you through qualifications, courses, employment rights and childcare.

A right to train sounds dull. Think of it as the right to support that can change your life.

What's most likely to get you to study again? Your best friend saying 'you can do it!' So I'm proud our Labour movement has produced 18,000 volunteer Union Learning Reps. Best friends in 6,000 workplaces up and down the country; who encouraged over 250,000 people back to train last year. Thank you.

In the same way it's employer who have the most influence on other employers. Over 250 companies covering two and a half million employees have now made the Skills Pledge. With the CBI all the ministers in my department are touring the country urging more employers to sign up.

As our drive for world class skills takes hold, attitudes will change.

So when someone complains they are in a dead end job, their best friend will say 'get retrained'.

When an employer complains about the shortage of skills, others should ask 'what are you doing to train your staff?'

And we will work with our great universities and colleges to make the changes Britain needs.

Never have our universities been more important to our success. To keep at the forefront of global science and research. To turn more of their brilliant research into world beating products, services and jobs.

That's why over a billion pounds of public and private money will be invested through the Technology Strategy Board and the Energy Technologies Institute - the places that will identify and develop the technology of the future.

That's why we've invested more in higher education than ever before.

To meet the needs of business - from the growing company down the road to the international corporation.

To help make Britain the best place in the world for innovation.

And, yes, to make sure that no university is closed to the talent of our young people wherever they went to school.

So, Conference, whether you ask, 'How does Britain succeed in a changing world?'

Or you ask:

'How does each of us find security and prosperity in the years ahead?'

The answer is going to be the same.

Together.

Together, we need the skills and talent of all our people;

We'll put them together with the best research and the best science in the world to create the best place in the world to build and run an innovative business.

Together that's what we are going to do.

That's Labour.

No one left to struggle in a changing world.

No opportunity missed.

No talent left unlocked.