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New Commission puts employer voice at heart of skills policy

DEPARTMENT FOR INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS News Release issued by The Government News Network on 1 April 2008

A new Commission which will put employers at the centre of employment and skills policy development across the UK opens for business today. The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) will supersede two Government-funded agencies - the Sector Skills Development Agency and the National Employment Panel - which closed on 31 March. These two pioneer organisations have laid the foundations for working with employers to create a better skilled and more effective workforce.
Ministers paid tribute to their excellent work in providing the platform on which the UK Commission can build.

As a single employer-led board, the new UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) will provide direct and independent advice to Ministers at the highest levels across the UK. They will develop an independent view of how successful and well integrated our employment and skills systems are in meeting the competitive challenges faced by business, and in supporting changing employment trends.

The Commission will also fund and manage the performance and re-licensing of the 25 employer-led Sector Skills Councils who ensure a powerful voice for employers on current and future skills needs and will help determine the targets, policies and progress necessary to our ambition of world class skill levels by 2020.

The UKCES has already been asked by the Government to report on crucial issues, such as the employability skills employers need for future economic success; how UK employers can use skills to become more globally competitive; whether a statutory entitlement to training is appropriate and whether further institutional change is required to deliver better integrated employment and skills services.

Welcoming the launch of the Commission in London today, John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, said:
"The UK Commission has an unprecedented opportunity to influence the delivery of employment and skills policy, giving employers a powerful voice at the heart of government, but also helping us boost the life changes of individuals in every part of the UK. The cross Government support for this new organisation makes it a powerful and exciting new development, which will have a long-lasting impact on national competitiveness."

James Purnell, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said:
"I look forward to working closely with the UK Commission as we work together towards achieving an 80% employment rate. With over 670,000 vacancies across the UK the jobs are there. We need to make sure people have the skills to fill them."

Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, said:
"The UK Commission will ensure we have a strong employer voice at the heart of diplomas and in driving forward our reforms to 14-19 qualifications, helping young people to make the right choices for their future while meeting the needs of employers."

Business Secretary John Hutton said:
"To maintain Britain's competitive position in the global economy, it's essential that we boost the nation's skills, ensuring employers have access to a responsive, high-performing workforce fit for the 21st century. This new Commission will help us in our drive towards a knowledge economy."

Sir Reg Empey MLA, Minister for Employment and Learning, said:
"I welcome the establishment of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, which I believe is a significant step forward in meeting the challenge of the UK's future skills' needs. Although skills and employment matters are devolved to Northern Ireland and we have our own Skills Strategy which sets out the framework for skills development here, I recognise the great benefits which will accrue from Northern Ireland being involved in the work of the Commission. In particular, the advantages of being part of a body which will support the world class skills agenda, by receiving advice on best practice to inform policy decisions.

"I will be appointing a Northern Ireland Advisor on Employment and Skills, who will represent Northern Ireland's interests on the Commission. I look forward to working with him or her, other Commission members and ministerial colleagues, on the successful development of the wider skills agenda."

Fiona Hyslop, Education and Lifelong Learning Secretary, Scottish Parliament, said:
"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring Scotland realises its full economic potential, creating more and better employment opportunities for our people. We want - and our country needs - our workforce to be better educated and more skilled, helping Scotland become more successful, with a reputation for research and innovation. That's why I welcome the launch of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, which has been established as the result of constructive partnership working between governments across the UK. I look forward to building productive relationships between the UK Commission, the Scottish Government and the newly formed Skills Development Scotland. Willy Roe, who takes up his post as Skills Development Scotland's chairman today, will also serve as Scotland Commissioner to the UK Commission."

Rhodri Morgan, First Minister for Wales, said:
"I very much welcome the setting up of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills. It will bring great benefits to Wales because its work will be so critical to improving the Skills and Employability agenda across the UK. As we set up our Wales Employment and Skills Board we can anticipate having a truly joined up approach to accelerating the skills and productivity in Wales and right across the UK."

Notes to Editors

The UK Commission for Employment and Skills was a recommendation of the independent report by Lord Leitch 'Prosperity for all in the global economy - world class skills' published in December 2006. The UK Commission will play a central role in raising the UK's skills base, improving productivity and competitiveness, increasing employment and making a contribution to a fairer society. It will play a critical part 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. The UK Commission replaces many functions of two existing bodies - the Sector Skills Development Agency and the National Employment Panel both of which closed on 31 March 2008.

Sector Skills Development Agency was established in 2002 and was responsible for funding, supporting and monitoring the network of 25 Sector Skills Councils (SSCs). An employer-led Board provides additional strategic support and advice. The SSDA was a non-departmental public body with representatives across the UK. http://www.ssda.org.uk

The National Employment Panel was composed of top business executives along with public sector and community leaders. They provided independent advice on welfare reform and labour market issues to Ministers in the Treasury, the Department for Work and Pensions, and the Department for Education and Skills. http://www.nationalemploymentpanel.gov.uk

Sir Michael Rake, Chair of BT is the Chair of the UK Commission. His appointment was announced in June 2007.

Chris Humphries CBE was appointed as CEO in December 2007. He was Director General of City & Guilds - one of the largest Awarding Bodies - from April 2001. He was formerly Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce from 1998-2001, and Chief Executive of the TEC National Council from 1994-1998.

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