Introduction

Since ALP introduced its Sector Skills Council (SSC) Engagement Strategy Plan in October 2006, it has gone on to secure and establish formalised arrangements i.e. Protocol Agreements with several SSCs. With the primary aim of putting ALP Members at the centre of SSC activities and engagement, whereby members can contribute and comment on SSC policy design and development, the advent of 14-19 Diplomas, Foundation Learning Tier, Self Regulation, National Skills Academies, Total Quality Standard, Train to Gain, Qualification Credit Framework reform and to make all members aware of all SSCs product and services. 

Since March 2008, ALP has in place six ‘protocol agreements’ with SSCs, e.g. SEMTA, Improve, Skills for Logistics, IMI Automotive, Skillsmart Retail and Council for Administration (Sector Skills Body) and is in the process of establishing formal agreements with Skills for Health and E-Skills. Over the next year (July – June 2008/09), ALP’s goal will be to have in place, another seven protocol agreements.

In addition, a number of SSCs have taken a step further and have reinforced their strategic relationship with ALP by becoming an Associate Member; these include SEMTA, Skillsmart Retail, Improve and LLUK.

Based on the SSC and SSB ‘foot print’ in England, ALP will continue to focus and progress it sector engagement dialogue i.e. where there is 30 or more members operating in that given footprint. Conversely, where the respective SSC has less than 30 member organisations, ALP will maintain a passive intervention with the respective SSCs, to keep those ALP members informed of any new policy development. 

The 13 identified SSCs/SSBs:
1. Automotive Skills
2. Council for Administration (SSB),
3. E-Skills
4. HABIA (SSB)
5. Improve
6. LLUK
7. People 1st
8. ProSkills
9. SEMTA
10. Skills for Care
11. Skills for Health
12. Skills for logistics
13. Skillsmart Retail

Conclusion

ALP Sector Engagement Strategy is focused on engaging SSCs on the key policy design and implementation issues which affect our members. ALP will develop robust channels of communication which feed into the SSC and back to our members.

Our representation (e.g. Skills Champions) to SSCs should be accountable to our membership and mirror our success gained within the LSC, JCP and UFI arenas.

ALP
July 2008

 

To download ALP SSC Engagement Strategy document please click below.

  

Downloadable Files