1.2 Industry sector councils and bodies

In addition to the many professional bodies, there are a number of sector skills councils and bodies set up by the government to support employers in developing apprenticeships, reducing skills gaps, and boosting the skills and learning of the workforce. There are 20 of these bodies, led by employers and overseen by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills. They exist to plan for future skills needs in their industry, contribute to the development of national occupational standards, design and approve apprenticeship frameworks, and devise qualification strategies.

Sector bodies cover 80 per cent of the UK workforce. Some examples of these are:

• ConstructionSkills – construction
• Creative Skillset – TV, film, radio, interactive media, animation, computer games, publishing, photo imaging, advertising, and fashion and textiles
• Financial Skills Partnership – finance, accountancy and financial services
• Skills for Health – health
• Skills for Justice – courts services, custodial care, forensic science, fire and rescue, police and law enforcement.

You can find a full list of all 20 bodies on the Federation for Industry Sector Skills and Standards website.

Although these bodies are primarily set up to meet the needs of employers, many also see their role as being to publicise careers to the general public, educating them about the benefits of training and gaining skills and qualifications. Learning, training and qualifications are the focus of the next section.