Alliance of Sector Skills Councils calls for a productive and competitive workforce

The Alliance of Sector Skills Councils launches its UK wide manifesto this week, setting out what is required to make the skills system truly demand-led. The manifesto identifies the six key areas where Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) can significantly contribute to ensuring a more productive and competitive workforce in the UK. The launch of the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils’ manifesto follows the recent Baker Tilly Report ‘Evaluating Economic Impact’ which has shown that SSCs can achieve £100m or more of public gain, every year, from funding of only £5m.

To achieve the change needed to make the skills system truly demand-led, the manifesto calls on all parties to fully support SSCs in the following areas:

1. Put employers at the heart of the skills system
2. Support employers to drive a simplified skills system that is flexible, responsive and collaborative
3. Support Sector Skills Councils to meet the needs of employers no matter what the sector, size or location in the UK
4. Ensure skills policy and strategy are based on sectoral analysis and understanding of the labour market
5. Ensure UK qualification strategies are shaped to meet the needs of employers
6. Ensure all development and delivery of skills, training and learning is demand-led

John McNamara, chief executive of the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils, said: “The six areas identified in the manifesto are vital in the context of global competitiveness and ensuring the skills needs of employers across the UK are met. It is increasingly important that SSCs are supported in putting employers at the heart of the skills system. This manifesto sets out the underlying principles governments and policy makers should take note of. The manifesto establishes a mature and proactive approach from SSCs – one that is collaborative, flexible and based on the sectoral analysis and understanding of the labour market.”

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John Rogers, chairman of the Alliance, adds: “The Alliance of Sector Skills Councils is forging ahead in its mission of ensuring that SSCs continue to work effectively on the employer-driven skills agenda. The Leitch Review of Skills was clear that vocational skills must be demand-led rather than centrally planned, and the launch of the manifesto is a key milestone in achieving this goal.”