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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.
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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