About SSCs

SSCs are independent, employer-led, UK-wide organisations which are designed to build a skills system driven by employer demand.

SSCs are licensed by the UK Government through the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) and have recently undergone a rigorous relicensing process.

SSCs cover over 90% of the UK's workforce and represent the skills and training interests of small to large businesses. The scope of each SSC is strictly defined, but extensive collaboration also takes place on cross-sector priorities.

SSCs aim to reduce skills gaps and shortages, improve productivity, business and public service performance, increase opportunities to boost the skills and productivity of everyone in their sector's workforce and improve learning supply through National Occupational Standards (NOS), apprenticeships, and further and higher education.

One of the core functions of SSCs is to gather Labour Market Intelligence (LMI) for their sectors, and this provides a vital evidence base for skills development. SSCs are therefore central to UK skills strategies as the skills system needs to be driven by the demands of the economy.