What are Sector Skills Councils?
Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) represent sectors which are either economically or strategically significant. They are developed by groups of influential employers, and are designed to tackle skills and productivity needs in the UK. In return they receive public investment and government dialogue.
What are their aims?
SSCs aim to reduce skills gaps and shortages, and improve productivity, business and public service performance. They are working to increase opportunities to boost the skills and productivity of everyone in the sector's workforce, including action on equal opportunities. In addition they exist to improve learning supply, including apprenticeships, higher education and national occupational standards.
How many SSCs are there?
There are to date 25 SSCs that make up the Skills for Business network. The Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) funds, supports, and monitors the SSCs, and the resulting Skills for Business network currently covers 85% of the workforce.
Which SSCs represent the MLA sector?
Two SSCs represent the MLA sector. Creative & Cultural Skills (CCS) represents the museum workforce, and Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK) represents the library and archive domains.
What is Creative and Cultural Skills?
CCS is the Sector Skills Council representing the following sectors:
- Advertising
- Crafts
- Cultural heritage
- Design
- Music
- Performing
- Literary and Visual Arts
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Creative and Cultural Skills is Tom Bewick, and Victoria Pirie is the Industry Skills Director for Cultural Heritage.
What is CCS doing?
CCS's work programme currently focuses on:
- creating a Creative Knowledge Lab
- providing an advice line and web support
- developing a 14-19 Creative & Media Diploma
- integrating with the Cultural Leadership Programme
- taking forward the Creative Apprenticeships concept
What is Lifelong Learning UK?
Lifelong UK represents the following domains:
- libraries, archives and information services
- work-based learning
- higher education
- further education
- community learning and development
The CEO of LLUK is David Hunter. Peter Ramsden is the Standards and Qualifications Officer, and Lyn Bruce is the Regional Manager for London & the South East.
What is LLUK doing?
LLUK is focusing around consultation on creating new occupational standards and vocational qualifications for the libraries, archives and information sectors.
