SkillsActive focus on Leitch – UK Commission for Employment and Skills

Will Pickering, SkillsActive – 15/08/2007

The UK Commission for Employment and Skills, to be chaired by Sir Michael Rake, will have advisory responsibility for skills at all levels across the UK, subject to agreement with the devolved administrations. The new commission will take on the role currently carried out by the Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) and the National Employment Panel (NEP) and work with “all parties to raise their game on skills” and help “to shift the national culture”.

Speaking recently Sir Michael Rake said: “I have recently returned from a business trip to China where the potential competition issues for the UK and Europe are only too evident. Skills and sustained employment are at the heart of business growth and economic success. I am proud to pick up the challenge and ambitions set by Lord Leitch and the Chancellor [now Prime Minister] and drive forward this new organisation”.

Currently International Chairman of KPMG, Sir Michael Rake will shortly be taking up post as Chair of BT. Sir Michael was a member of the CBI’s President's Committee from 2001 to 2006, and is a member of the CBI International Advisory Committee. He is a member of the International Business Council of the World Economic Forum. He is also Chair of Business in the Community, and is on the Board of the Prince of Wales' International Business Leaders Forum.

According to the government the main functions of the commission will be to:

• advise Ministers on the strategy, targets and policies needed to increase employment and skills rates;
• assess progress towards world class ambitions in England;
• monitor the contribution that each art of the employment and skills system makes to sustained employment and career progression, challenging performance and recommending improvements in policy and delivery;
• ensure that employment and skills services are integrated, and are meeting the needs of individuals and employers, and advise Government on whether further institutional change is required;
• promote employer investment in people and better use of their skills at all levels including employability skills and workforce; and
• have responsibility for the performance of SSCs, advising Ministers on re-licensing.

The commission is expected to report twice a year to the highest levels of government and publish an annual report on the state of the UK employment and skills system.

The board and chief executive are due to be appointed by November this year and the commission should be fully operational by March 2008.

Click here to download SkillsActive’s briefing paper on the government’s Leitch Implementation Plan.