Re-licensing

What is it?

SkillsActive is currently going through a government-led re-licensing process, entitled ‘Empowering SSCs – Employer driven skills reform across the UK’. The government and the devolved administrations are quite clear that in order to achieve its aims of becoming a world-leader in productivity and employment, employers working across Sport and Fitness, Playwork, the Outdoors and the Caravan Industry, must be at the centre of a reformed employment and skills policy.

An employer prospectus, which explains re-licensing for employers, can be downloaded here, while Frequently Asked Questions are available on the The UK Commission for Employment and Skills website.

SkillsActive is using the re-licensing process as an opportunity to lay down its aspirations for working with the sector to address skills and qualifications issues and professionalise the workforce. Such intentions are outlined in our Expression of Interest, which following sign-off from the SkillsActive Employer Board, was submitted to the government. The document highlights how employers will continue to lead the work of their Sector Skills Council, through SkillsActive’s employer committees and networks and its Board of Trustees. The Expression of Interest can be downloaded here.

Why is it important?

The goal of this process is a new five year licence for SkillsActive. This will mean that the government and devolved administrations have recognised the importance of the sector at large, and equally, that its workforces warrants specific development in order to meet its objectives.  The re-issuing of a licence will allow SkillsActive to continue to develop up to date LMI on the sector, a modern demand-led qualifications framework, improved funding streams based on employer demand and tailored products and services to meet employer need.

SkillsActive’s vision for the sector is ‘More People, Better Skilled, Better Qualified’. We have worked with employers to agree the following priorities for change to meet this vision:

1. To improve recruitment and retention of the workforce
2. To upskill and professionalise the existing workforce
3. To match training supply to employer demand
4. To redirect and secure new funding for training to meet employment needs
5. To increase sector investment in our people

Get Involved. Have Your Say…

As part of the re-licensing process, the Government wants employers to have their say on SSCs and the skills system in general. This is highlighted in the document ‘Empowering Employers – Building Employer Influence’.

Moreover, we want to hear from you!

Please email haveyoursay@skillsactive.com to:

• Pledge your support for SkillsActive receiving a new licence;
• Let us know how we can improve our offer to employers;
• Get in contact with the relevant SkillsActive officer to address your workforce needs.