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UK Commission for Employment and Skills launches

A new Commission that aims to put employers at the centre of employment and skills policy development across the UK opened for business this week.

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. Ministers paid tribute to their work in providing the platform on which the UK Commission can build.

UKCES will provide advice to Ministers across the UK and help determine the targets, policies and progress necessary to achieve the Government's ambition of world class skill levels by 2020. The Commission will also fund and manage the performance and re-licensing of the 25 employer-led Sector Skills Councils

The UKCES has already been asked by the Government to report on 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, 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."

The UK Commission for Employment and Skills was a recommendation of the report by Lord Leitch 'Prosperity for all in the global economy - world class skills' published in December 2006.

External links

UK Commission for Employment and Skills

Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills

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