Employers in the UK are reporting significant skills shortages within their own workforce and from the pool of labour from which they recruit. This is having a detrimental effect on UK businesses, hindering their growth, productivity and profit levels making the country less competitive in the global market.
Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) have been set up to tackle the skills and productivity needs of the UK. Their remit is to decide how training and business support is delivered and funded.
There are currently 25 SSCs covering approximately 85 per cent of the UK workforce from manufacturing and transport to finance and IT. They are independent, employer-led organisations that actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other key stakeholders. Collectively they form the Skills for Business Network, which is collectively managed by the Commission for Employment and Skills (formerly the Sector Skills Development Agency) which is responsible for funding, supporting and monitoring the network.
All SSCs are licensed by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, in consultation with Ministers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Common goals
Each SSC is responsible for reacting to the skills needs within their industry sector and they work to the same four key goals which are:
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to reduce skills gaps and shortages
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improve productivity, business and public service performance
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increase opportunities to improve the skills and productivity of everyone in the sector's workforce
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improve learning supply including apprenticeships, higher education and National Occupational Standards (NOS).
By working with Lantra, employers in the environmental and land-based sector have a stronger voice to influence government policies, education and training providers and funding to meet their skills and training needs.
