Employer Engagement

Since 2003, the Government has promoted the need for post-16 provision to become more responsive to the needs of employers. For HEIs this has prompted an increased emphasis on 'employer engagement'.

The Centre is engaged in a number of initiatives based around employer engagement including work with the Sector Skills Councils.

Emplyer engagement

Sector Skills Councils

There are 25 Sector Skills Councils (SSCs), each of which is an employer-led, independent organisation that covers a specific sector across the UK. SSCs provide employers with a unique forum to express the skills and productivity needs that are pertinent to their sector. Together, the SSCs cover approximately 85 per cent of the UK workforce.

Sector Skills Development Agency

The Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) has responsibility for providing cover for those industries that fall outside the SSCs and actively engages with trade unions and professional bodies in this role. The SSDA is also responsible for funding, supporting and monitoring the SSCs.

Engage

The Centre is a partner in the Engage project, which is a pilot project to explore opportunities for increased collaboration between higher education and employers.

Sector Skills Councils

The SSCs identified which have an impact on the physical sciences in higher education are: