SummitSkills launches Sector Skills Agreement

SummitSkills has launched the Sector Skills Agreement (SSA) for building services engineering; a deal between employers, training providers and the government.

Following lengthy research, the group identified the skills issues affecting the sector and worked with employers to address them.

The agreement, which is designed to ensure demand-led skills, is facilitated by SummitSkills but owned by the entire sector.

The SSA lists five priorities which will be dealt with over the next three years:

• Image and competence – promoting a positive image of the sector

• Communication and information – creating a knowledge centre for all sector skills development needs

• Training provision – ensuring proactive, high quality and relevant training

• Funding – flexibility in funding to meet fast-changing needs

• Management and leadership – supporting the sector to plan and develop profitable and competitive businesses

Employer-led regional and national SSA implementation groups have now been formed. These will meet quarterly and will hold accountability for the delivery of SSA solutions within various areas and throughout the nation.

Keith Marshall, chief executive of SummitSkills, said: “The Sector Skills Agreement has now been agreed by all parties involved, enabling SummitSkills to roll out and manage a number of programmes to address the five skills priorities. The proposed solutions are of real value to employers, and are set to make significant difference that will help safeguard a prosperous sector for many years to come.”

A full report will feature in the June issue of EMC.