About SSCs

There are 25 Sector Skills Councils (SSCs). Each one represents five to seven 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 2008, after the new Commission for Employment and Skills is established.

The Department for Education and Skills:

SSCs provide a voice for employers to have their say in identifying skills priorities and the training and qualifications needed for their sector. Sector Skills Agreements are a key mechanism for articulating sills demand and underpin the move to a more demand-led system of education & training.

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 substantial public investment and lead dialogue 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.