UKCES

The four key goals of SSCs are:

• to reduce skills gaps and shortages
• improve productivity, business and public service performance
• increase opportunities to boost the skills and productivity of everyone in the sector's workforce
• improve learning supply including apprenticeships, higher education and National Occupational Standards (NOS).

SSCs provide employers with a unique forum to express the skills and productivity needs that are pertinent to their sector.  By coming together as SSCs, employers have:

• greater dialogue with government and devolved administration departments across the UK
• greater impact on policies affecting skills and productivity
• increased influence with education and training partners
• substantial public investment.

All SSCs are licensed by the Secretary of State for Innovation, Education and Skills, in consultation with Ministers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Together, the SSCs cover approximately 90 per cent of the UK workforce.