There are 25 Sector Skills Councils (SSCs). Each one represents a number of related industries. SSCs were licensed by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, in consultation with Ministers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Their objective is to tackle the skills needs of the UK. Re-licensing will occur in 2009 by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES).

Creative & Cultural Skills is the Sector Skills Council for the Creative & Cultural Sector. This covers Advertising, Crafts, Cultural Heritage, Design, Music, Performing, Literary and Visual Arts.

Follow this link to see all the Sector Skills councils.

SSCs receive public investment and engage with government departments across the UK. This enables organisations and employers, via SSCs, to have a far greater impact on policies affecting skills and productivity.

Each SSC agrees priorities and targets with its employers and partners to address three key goals:

• reduce skills gaps and shortages
• improve productivity, business and public service performance
• reform learning supply, making courses and qualifications relevant to industry.

What is the UK Commission for Employment and Skills?

Launched on 1 April 2008, the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) is a key recommendation in Lord Leitch's 2006 review of skills.

The Commission aims to raise UK prosperity and opportunity by improving employment and skills.

As well as providing greater employer influence over the employment and skills systems, the UKCES will promote employer investment in people. It will also manage the performance of the employer-led Sector Skills Councils, advising Ministers on their re-licensing.