Sector Skills Development Councils were established by the government in 2002 to help education and business to work together towards four key goals: to reduce skills shortages; develop a more adaptable workforce; increase productivity across all sectors; and improve the speed and quality with which learning providers can supply businesses like yours with the skilled workforce you need.
Significantly, Sector Skills Development Councils are employer-led bodies. They are the employer’s advocate within the education sector, and they can have a real impact on the development of learning programmes in the short, medium and long terms, not least because they are licensed and quality-controlled by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills.
Modern Apprenticeships are an example of the way in which this is already happening and Sector Skills Development Councils will have a pivotal role in shaping the future development – and expansion – of Modern Apprenticeships.
Sector Skills Development Councils are a chance for employers to pool the expertise they have of their field to identify common needs and solutions. They receive up to £1million government funding annually, in addition to being licensed to generate commercial revenue from the sale of services to employers.
