The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES), which is launched on the 1st of April, will work with government, employers and individuals to improve skills, employment and productivity within the UK.

Working with employers the UKCES will ensure they have a much more influential role in determining the skills that are taught in our schools and by further education and training providers.

The UKCES will advise government on strategies, policies and targets and will produce an annual report which will assess the progress made towards the UK becoming a world-class leader in employment and skills by 2020.

It will be chaired by Sir Mike Rake who is also chair of BT.  He said: “The mission of the UK Commission is a challenging one, but one where the benefits are enormous.  An employment and skills system which is truly led by employers has been a holy grail for government administrations for years now.   Achieving it would make a huge difference to every man, woman and child in the UK, and that’s exactly what the UK Commission intends to do.”

The UKCES which was established as a result of a key recommendation of the Leith Report of 2006, will take over some of the responsibilities of the now closed Sector Skills Development Agency and National Employment Panel.  It is sponsored by government departments including the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, The Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
 
As Employment Skills and training rises up the political agenda it has never been a better time to have more resources at your fingertips so you can respond quickly to the changing needs of your workforce and clients