The Sector Skills Council network
The new network of UK wide Sector Skills Councils (SSCs), charged to lead the skills and productivity drive in industry or business sectors recognised by employers, was launched in Spring 2002 with the licensing of five Trailblazer SSCs, including Cogent on 19th March.
The introduction of the SSCs was the result of a Government review in 2001 of the network of National Training Organisations (NTOs) which had been operating since 1999. There were then 75 NTOs of various sizes and with varying resources operating across the UK when the review took place.
In December 2001, the then Minister for Lifelong Learning John Healey announced that NTOs would be replaced by a smaller, stronger network of SSCs.The Government has set four key objectives for the Sector Skills Councils:
- reduce skills gaps and shortages and anticipate future needs in their industry
- improve productivity, business and public services performance through specific strategic actions based on analysis of sectoral priorities
- increase opportunities to develop the productivity of the sector's workforce
- improve learning supply, including the development of apprenticeships, higher education and of national occupational standards
In addition to the five Trailblazers already operational, there are nine SSCs currently in development. Details can be found on the Sector Skills Development Agency website.
| 
