Govt spotlight on media employers productivity & skills needs
16 February 2004
The audio visual industries are one of only four sectors across the UK economy selected by Government to pilot Sector Skills Agreements (SSAs), it was announced today (Monday 16 February). Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the audio visual industries, will broker the UK wide agreement between employers and training providers giving employers more say than ever before in determining the skills their business needs to increase productivity and profitability and make sure the public education and training system delivers these needs.
Chief Executive of Skillset, Dinah Caine, said:
"A Sector Skills Agreement for our industries will put employers in the driving seat. They are detailed and costed plans of action to improve skills development within a sector. Skillset has already produced a comprehensive strategy for Film: A Bigger Future: the UK Film Skills Strategy, and will be building on this model working to develop agreements that best serve the business interests of our industry. Being one of the first four industries chosen shows that Government recognises the economic significance of the audio visual industries and the importance of safeguarding the high-end skills of its workforce."
The other Sector Skills Councils selected to draw up SSAs are: e skills UK; CITB Construction skills; and SEMTA. SSAs are part of the Government's National Skills Strategy. The first SSAs will be developed over the year, overseen by the Sector Skills Development Agency, and are expected to be approved by ministers in December with implementation beginning early next year.
Ivan Lewis, Minister for Skills and Vocational Education, added:
"The government's Skills Strategy depends on true partnership enabling businesses to compete in the global economy and develop the multi-skilled flexible workforce essential for our productivity. Sector Skills Councils are a crucial part of our strategy. We are putting employers' needs centre stage and giving them a powerful voice in how public money on skills is spent.
"In announcing the first four to go forward to develop their Sector Skills Agreements, the Sector Skills Development Agency is beginning an ambitious drive for business improvement across all sectors. The agreements will enable Sector Skills Councils to work with government to develop world class learning provision, meet business needs and give individuals the right skills for proficiency in their jobs."
-ENDS-
SKILLSET PRESS OFFICE: Eve Ragout 020 7520 5752 / 07968 010 325 eve@skillset.org
Notes to Editor
1. Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the audio visual industries. Audio visual industries in this context means, Broadcast, Film, Video, Interactive Media and Photo Imaging. Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) are independent, UK-wide organisations developed by groups of influential employers in industry or business sectors of economic or strategic significance. SSCs are employer-led and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the sector.
2. The Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA), formed on 1 April 2002, is a company limited by guarantee and a non-departmental government body with a UK-wide remit. The SSDA's primary function is to improve the productivity of UK plc by tackling skills gaps and deficiencies through the development and funding of a network of employer-led Sector Skills Councils (SSCs).
The audio visual industries are one of only four sectors across the UK economy selected by Government to pilot Sector Skills Agreements (SSAs), it was announced today (Monday 16 February). Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the audio visual industries, will broker the UK wide agreement between employers and training providers giving employers more say than ever before in determining the skills their business needs to increase productivity and profitability and make sure the public education and training system delivers these needs.
Chief Executive of Skillset, Dinah Caine, said:
"A Sector Skills Agreement for our industries will put employers in the driving seat. They are detailed and costed plans of action to improve skills development within a sector. Skillset has already produced a comprehensive strategy for Film: A Bigger Future: the UK Film Skills Strategy, and will be building on this model working to develop agreements that best serve the business interests of our industry. Being one of the first four industries chosen shows that Government recognises the economic significance of the audio visual industries and the importance of safeguarding the high-end skills of its workforce."
The other Sector Skills Councils selected to draw up SSAs are: e skills UK; CITB Construction skills; and SEMTA. SSAs are part of the Government's National Skills Strategy. The first SSAs will be developed over the year, overseen by the Sector Skills Development Agency, and are expected to be approved by ministers in December with implementation beginning early next year.
Ivan Lewis, Minister for Skills and Vocational Education, added:
"The government's Skills Strategy depends on true partnership enabling businesses to compete in the global economy and develop the multi-skilled flexible workforce essential for our productivity. Sector Skills Councils are a crucial part of our strategy. We are putting employers' needs centre stage and giving them a powerful voice in how public money on skills is spent.
"In announcing the first four to go forward to develop their Sector Skills Agreements, the Sector Skills Development Agency is beginning an ambitious drive for business improvement across all sectors. The agreements will enable Sector Skills Councils to work with government to develop world class learning provision, meet business needs and give individuals the right skills for proficiency in their jobs."
SKILLSET PRESS OFFICE: Eve Ragout 020 7520 5752 / 07968 010 325 eve@skillset.org
Notes to Editor
1. Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the audio visual industries. Audio visual industries in this context means, Broadcast, Film, Video, Interactive Media and Photo Imaging. Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) are independent, UK-wide organisations developed by groups of influential employers in industry or business sectors of economic or strategic significance. SSCs are employer-led and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the sector.
2. The Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA), formed on 1 April 2002, is a company limited by guarantee and a non-departmental government body with a UK-wide remit. The SSDA's primary function is to improve the productivity of UK plc by tackling skills gaps and deficiencies through the development and funding of a network of employer-led Sector Skills Councils (SSCs).