Skills for Business network - working in partnership – 20 April

2007 Aileen Ponton

Head of Policy Development, Scotland, SSDA

Introduction

Setting a context Providing an overview Sector Skills Agreements Influence and operations Current and future issues Summary

Context Skills for Business network made up of

Sector Skills Development Agency – the regulator and 25 Sector Skills Councils

Non Departmental Public Body, sponsored jointly by the different governments across the UK

First set up in 2002 and now covers around 90% of the UK workforce

UK wide network but operates through specific structures in Scotland

Will become part of CES in 2008

Roles of the SSCs

Each SSC agrees sector priorities and targets with its employers and partners to address four key goals:• Developing and maintaining key labour market

information in order to reduce skills gaps and shortages and plan for the future

• Improving productivity, business and public service performance

• Increasing opportunities to boost the skills and productivity of everyone in the sector's workforce, including action on equal opportunities

• Improving learning supply, including apprenticeships, higher education and national occupational standards

Overview

• SfBn action plan for Scotland• Involvement in Determined to Succeed/ FE

review• Realignment of subject networks• LMI template development• SLAs with Careers Scotland, lds, SEN,

Scotland’s colleges (to follow with STUC, HIE)

• Worldskills competitons• Review of MA and Skillseekers• SSA action plans and added value

Qualifications and Standards

• Development of national occupational standards at all levels and for all sectors through employer engagement - http://www.ukstandards.org/

• Development of SVQs and Modern Apprenticeships

• Involvement in the development and review of all school, college and vocational training

• Development of Sector Skills Agreements

What is an SSA?

Five stage process• SNA• Analysis of public and privately funded

training provision being accessed by the sector will also lead to development of a SQS

• Gap analysis• Employer engagement and commitment• Stakeholder engagement and commitment

resulting in an agreed action plan

Progress on SSAs

Four Pathfinder SSCs completed in September 2005(Skillset, Constructionskills,SEMTA, Eskills UK)

Six SSCs completed September 2006 (Lantra, Skillsactive, Skills for Health, Skillfast UK, Skills for Logistics, Cogent)

Five SSCs likely to complete May 2007 Remaining ten to complete by March 2008 Timeline on website and updated monthly All evidence based reports on website Scottish SSA Project Board including SQA

Emerging themes

• Higher levels skills• Management and leadership• Employability skills/core skills• Support for migrant workers• Language/customer service skills• Quality of employer engagement• Size/structure/recognition of qualifications• IAG

What are we trying to influence?

Government policies and initiatives that impact on this sector

Qualifications, education and training

Providers of education and training

Advice and guidance for young people and adults

Employers views and behaviours

Summary

• Employment led, sectoral focus• Skills related• Supporting those entering work, updating

skills and moving jobs• Strategic not operational role • Common aim of growing Scotland’s

economy• Need to work in partnership with SQA,

funders, government,and training providers