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News Release from: LSC Learning and Skills Council
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 07 February 2007
National Skills Academies need interest
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) with its partners, DfES, SSDA and DTI have urged employers to put forward their expressions of interest to develop a National Skills Academy for their industry.
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) with its partners, the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), the Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) and the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI), has urged employers to put forward their expressions of interest to develop a National Skills Academy for their industry, before the closing date of 5 March 2007 The National Skills Academy network aims to drive up skills levels and productivity in England by delivering the skills required by each major sector of the economy
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 24 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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Lack of basic skills training is currently costing the UK economy more than GBP10 billion each year.
Whilst it is one of the largest economies in the world, the UK's prosperity and growth is being constrained by its low skills base.
National Skills Academies aim to tackle this head on, putting employers at the heart of skills training in order to create a world-class workforce.
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The Government plans to have 12 National Skills Academies up and running across England by 2008.
So far, the Government has approved National Skills Academies for the Construction, Financial Services, Manufacturing, and Food and Drink Manufacturing industries.
In October 2006, the second round of National Skills Academies were announced for the Nuclear, Process Industries, Creative and Cultural, and Hospitality sectors, which, if business plans are approved, will become operational later this year.
Expressions of interest from employers who would like to get involved in the National Skills Academies network must be lodged by 5 March 2007.
Employers should contact their Sector Skills Council or the Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) in the first instance, to co-ordinate an expression of interest, after which a formal bidding process will commence.
A prospectus for the third round of National Skills Academies, which are expected to open in 2008, is accessible online at www.nationalskillsacademy.co.uk.
Skills Minister, Phil Hope MP said: "This prospectus sets out challenging criteria for National Skills Academies proposals to meet.
We have set high standards but the prize is great and this flagship programme will play a key part in creating jobs, tackling skills shortages and driving up productivity.
"The Leitch Review of Skills recognises the role that the National Skills Academies will play in raising demand for skills from employers and learners.
Employers have the critical role to play as sponsors, providing a clear vision, strong strategic leadership and funds for sustainable development." Chris Banks, Chairman of the Learning and Skills Council said: "It is a fact that having a motivated and skilled workforce improves the productivity of individuals and the performance of business overall.
National Skills Academies put employers right at the heart of developing high-quality and relevant training programmes to improve the skills of the workforce for their own sector.
The commitment of so many top employers to date has been impressive; this is because the National Skills Academies provide a golden opportunity for employers and Government to work together and build a Britain of enterprise and opportunity." Employers who are already involved in the National Skills Academy network are extremely pleased with the results.
Stuart Bernau, Commercial and Communications Director, Nationwide Building Society, lauded the National Skills Academy for Financial Services: "The National Skills Academy for Financial Services is a real opportunity for us as employers to be clear about the skills we need and confident that we will get them.
It will create a wider pool of qualified recruits, ready to start work and hit the ground running.".
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