Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) are independent, employer-led
organisations responsible for tackling the skills and productivity
needs of their industry sectors UK-wide. SSCs aim to increase the
competitiveness of the sectors they represent, by:
- providing labour market intelligence, identifying skill needs
at all levels
- influencing the UK’s education and learning infrastructure
- mapping training and education supply to ensure it meets sector
demand
- raising skills demand among employers in their sector
The 25 Sector Skills Councils that make up the UK’s Skills for
Business network are licensed by the Secretary of State for
Innovation, Universities and Skills, in consultation with Ministers
in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The newly formed UK
Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) is responsible for
funding and monitoring the performance of SSCs. It will also be
responsible for re-licensing Sector Skills Councils during
2008-09.
Semta received its Sector Skills Council licence in 2003, and is
currently the one of the largest SSCs, representing the 76,000
businesses and 1.4 million employees throughout the science,
engineering and manufacturing technologies sector.
Approximately 85 percent of the UK workforce is currently
covered by an SSC. The UKCES has responsibility for providing cover
for those industries that fall outside the SSCs.
Further information on Sector Skills Councils is available on
the website of the UKCES.