By taking employer needs into account when designing education and skills courses, will ensure that when people start work they have the right skills and attitudes to make a positive impact. It also means that there is affordable and effective training available for existing employees.

You can influence the way in which education and skills are shaped and delivered by getting involved with your Sector Skills Council (SSC).

SSCs represent employers when qualifications are developed, ensuring that they genuinely meet business needs. Your SSC can provide you with a forum for influencing the way skills and qualifications are developed and delivered in your sector. SSCs are part of the Skills for Business network, which represents business needs and is responsible for improving skills and productivity in the UK.

To find out which SSC represents your industry, and to get in touch, visit: www.skillsforbusiness.biz

Other opportunities to influence education and skills
The publication Shaping education, developing your workforce gives a more detailed outline of opportunities for employers to get involved and influence education and skills.

The National Employment Panel is an employer-led body that advises the Government on the labour market. Its main objective is to increase the number of potential employees by removing barriers facing some adults. Its local Employer Coalitions play a part in helping to support these aims. The Panel’s website lets you discover whether there is a Coalition in your area that you could join.

You can influence the way in which education and skills are shaped and delivered by getting involved with your Sector Skills Council (SSC).

SSCs represent employers when qualifications are developed, ensuring that they genuinely meet business needs. Your SSC can provide you with a forum for influencing the way skills and qualifications are developed and delivered in your sector. SSCs are part of the Skills for Business network, which represents business needs and is responsible for improving skills and productivity in the UK.

To find out which SSC represents your industry, and to get in touch, visit: www.skillsforbusiness.biz.

Current developments where employers are involved
Employers are currently leading the development of specialised diplomas, apprenticeships and foundation degrees. They play an essential part in the reform of further education and in shaping skills training through National Skills Academies.

14–19 reform including specialised diplomas
The Government is reforming education for 14–19 year-olds. It wants to encourage more young people to continue learning for longer, achieve better results, and to tackle the lack of basic and employability skills.

The aim is for young people to leave education with the essential numeracy, literacy, information communications technology (ICT) and personal skills that employers require. This means employer involvement in the design of these qualifications is crucial.

Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) represent employers in the development of new diplomas. To find out which SSC represents your industry, and to get in touch through the Skills for Business network, visit: www.skillsforbusiness.biz.

You can read more about employer involvement in the development of specialised diplomas on the 14–19 Gateway website.

Further education
The Government is seeking advice on Pursuing Excellence, a national improvement programme for the whole of the further education system. This programme corresponds with the Government’s wider programme of education reform for 14–19 year-olds and skills strategies.

Employers can get involved through Sector Skills Councils (SSCs). SSCs represent different industries and provide employers with a forum for influencing the way skills and qualifications are developed and delivered in each sector.

To find out which SSC represents your industry, and to get in touch, visit: www.skillsforbusiness.biz

National Skills Academies
Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) provide a forum where employers can influence how training is shaped and delivered through National Skills Academies. These are centres of excellence focusing on local and regional skills needs for the different sectors.

To find out which SSC represents your industry, and to get in touch through the Skills for Business network, visit: www.skillsforbusiness.biz

Apprenticeships
The Apprenticeship Ambassadors Network (AAN) is a way for employers to let the Government know about issues affecting the quality and effectiveness of apprenticeships. Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) represent employers in the AAN. To find out which SSC represents your industry, and to get in touch through the Skills for Business network, visit: www.skillsforbusiness.biz

You can find out about the Network at: www.employersforapprentices.gov.uk

Higher education and foundation degrees
Employers are involved in the design and regular review of foundation degree programmes. Employers can design their own degree in partnership with a further or higher education institution.

Foundation Degree Forward can advise on how your business can get involved.

Employers can get involved through Sector Skills Councils (SSCs). SSCs represent different industries and provide employers with a forum for influencing the way skills and qualifications, including higher education qualifications, are developed and delivered in each sector so that business’ needs are met.

To find out which SSC represents your industry, and to get in touch, visit: www.skillsforbusiness.biz

Other opportunities to shape education and skills

Live e-consultations
You can contribute to consultations on education and skills developments through the live e-consultations on the Department for Education and Skills website.

Directgov also hosts public consultations from across government on its website.

Professional associations, institutions and trade unions

Professional associations, institutions and trade unions may offer opportunities for businesses to have their say on skills and education.

You can voice your opinion on the way in which education and skills are developed and delivered in your sector through your Sector Skills Council (SSC).

SSCs represent employers’ views during the development of qualifications, ensuring that they genuinely meet business needs. Your SSC can provide you with a forum for influencing the way skills and qualifications are developed and delivered in your sector. SSCs are part of the Skills for Business network, which represents business needs and is responsible for improving skills and productivity in the UK.

To find out which SSC represents your industry, and to get in touch, visit: www.skillsforbusiness.biz

You can contribute to consultations on education and skills developments through the live e-consultations on the Department for Education and Skills website.

Directgov also hosts public consultations from across government on its website.

Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) are employer-led, independent organisations that provide employers with a forum to express the skills and productivity needs of their sector.

The 25 SSCs that make up the Skills for Business network represent business needs and are responsible for improving skills and productivity in the UK.

The Skills for Business network can provide you with the information you need about SSCs and tell you which one is right for you.

Individual Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) represent different industries and work with and for employers.

To find out which SSC represents your industry, visit the Skills for Business website at: www.skillsforbusiness.biz.

You can also view a list of SSCs at: www.ssda.org.uk.