skills for business network - working in partnership – 20 april 2007 aileen ponton head of policy...
TRANSCRIPT
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