New Government skills strategy warmly welcomed by retail skills council | Industry News | TalkingRetail.com

News that Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) will continue to play a‘key’ role in the English skills system has been welcomed by Skillsmart Retail, the Sector Skills Council for Retail.

The Government’s new skills strategy,Skills for Sustainable Growth, launched by business secretary Vince Cable and skills minister John Hayes, acknowledges SSCs’ influential voice on sector-specific skills and provision of innovative solutions.

The paper says:“Sector Skills Councils remain an excellent means for employers to lead and influence change. We will continue to look to Sector Skills Councils to ensure that Apprenticeship frameworks and national occupational standards are updated to meet the needs of employers and employees in the face of newmarket conditions and increasing competition.”

National Skills Academies were also mentioned in the strategy:“National Skills Academies will also continue to form an integral part of support to sectors as specialist, employer-led delivery organisations, working through networks of selected specialist providers to develop and deliver tailored skills to meet employers’ needs and to stimulate increased employer investment. They have already demonstrated that they can become sustainable, responsive organisations which are independent of government and capable of becoming self-financing within three years.”

Anne Seaman, chief executive of Skillsmart Retail, said:“This new skills strategy clearly states that Sector Skills Councils and National Skills Academies have a clear role in raising employer investment in skills and we welcome the backing of both Vince Cable and John Hayes.

“I believe the retail sector has seen significant business benefit from our work. Our engagement at a strategic level with some of the country’s biggest name retailers and trade associations ensures that we understand their latest skills needs and priorities. We also have the clear backing of those retailers.

“We will continue to promote the importance of skills, notably Retail Apprenticeships, to ensure that everyone working in retail has the training and qualifications they need to pursue a rewarding career and further improve retail productivity in the UK.”

Source: Skillsmart Retail

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