SSDA Closure
The Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) will close on 31 March 2008.
The Skills for Business network of 25 employer-led Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) will remain open for business. Any queries relating to The Alliance of Sector Skills Councils should be sent to
stephen.dennison@skillsmartretail.com.
For more information and answers to frequently asked questions regarding the closure, please visit www.ssda.org.uk/closure.
The UK Government and Devolved Administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have announced the creation of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills from April 2008. The Commission, a key recommendation in Lord Leitch’s 2006 review of skills, will play a critical role in securing for the UK the ambitions of achieving a world class profile on skills by 2020 and the aspiration of an 80% employment rate.
Led by Chair, Sir Michael Rake (Chairman BT Group plc), and around 20 influential Commissioners, the Commission will ensure that employers have a pivotal role in ensuring the UK’s employment and skills system responds well to the needs of business and the public services. The Commission will also promote increased investment in workforce skills by employers for a more highly skilled and productive economy.
The Commission will:
- Advise Ministers on the strategy, targets and policies needed to increase employment and skills rates;
- Assess progress towards our world class ambition in England;
- Monitor the contribution that each part of the employment and skills system makes to sustained employment and career progression, challenging performance and recommending improvements in policy and delivery;
- Ensure that employment and skills services in England are integrated, and are meeting the needs of individuals and employers, and advise Government on whether further institutional change is required; and
- Have responsibility for the performance of Sector Skills Councils (SSCs), advising Ministers on re-licensing.
The Commission will research, request evidence, identify emerging issues and promote new approaches that may influence the aspiration of an 80% employment rate and the Leitch targets for skills.
It will report to the highest levels of Government and publish an annual report on the state of the UK employment and skills system, at all levels from basic literacy and numeracy skills to the highest level skills delivered in Higher Education.
Given its pivotal position, the UK Commission will develop strong relationships with employers, Trade Unions, Jobcentre Plus, the skills and Higher Education funding bodies in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Commission will incorporate many of the roles of the Sector Skills Development Agency and National Employment Panel which will both close on 31 March 2008. The Commission also replaces the Skills Alliance in England which has already been disbanded.
This is a temporary website. The UK Commission for Employment and Skills website will be launched on 1 April 2008.