Sector Skills Council - Supporting Workforce Skills

1. Semta Wales: Bill Peaper – National Manager Ken Toop – Business Partner Ian Smith – Business Partner Dianne Morris – Administration Officer

2. Who we are What is a Sector Skills Council? Sector Strategy Groups Identify National skill requirements Develop National standards, frameworks, pathways and programmes Support company training needs and delivery

3. What we do Nationally • Collectively identify and address skills gaps for our sector • Lobby Government for support in addressing skills gaps • Develop new and maintain existing National Occupational Standards to reflect changes in technology and ways of working. • Ensure that Apprenticeships are fit for purpose • Help encourage the right type of person into science and engineering • Measure and evaluate the impact of training for sectors

4. What we do Regionally • Free initial support in identifying strategic training needs that will add value to business (a measurable impact) • Provide impartial advice to companies on investing in different types of training: • workforce planning, knowledge management and training effectiveness • Provide companies with advice on ways to improve access to training through regional or national initiatives. • National accreditation of in-house learning programmes • Lobby for and support specific regional training requirements • Work with Stakeholders to inform and support their work

5. What we do Example 1 Pathways to Apprenticeship • Over 500 students undergoing engineering training, with companies and colleges across Wales • Engineering experience centres (Manufacturing Companies - Funded) Why? Companies wanted more of an input into initial stage training, selection and recruitment. Provide students with an opportunity to experience what engineering has to offer Ensure that despite the recession apprenticeship intake is maintained

6. What we do Example 2 Shared Apprenticeship • 90 Full time employed apprentices being trained by small to medium sized business who would not normally take on apprentices • Shared training with other companies and larger employers who have the capacity or expertise required Why? Companies were unable to afford a full time apprentice (70% funded in the first year of in-company training) Some companies did not have access to the range of skills they needed to complete a apprenticeship programme

7. What we do Example 3 Career Progression for Women in Science, Engineering Technology • Over 70 Women on the scheme • Mentoring and training provided (Career Development Plan) Why? Improve opportunities for Women in Science and Engineering

8. What we do Example 4 Accreditation of In-house learning programmes • 40 bespoke learning programmes identified and assigned credit • Over 30 companies involved to date • 4 Universities • 2 Colleges • 3 Awarding Bodies Why? To support new technologies and processes To recognise the level and amount of learning being undertaken

9. Our Mission: To contribute to our customers' success by helping them improve workforce skills. Our Strategic Aim: To become the organisation best known for improving the quality of education and training.

10. The Future: • Sector Priority Fund Pilot Project • High Value Added strategic development of Managers • Pathway to Apprenticeships • Young Recruits • More Research

11. Sector Priority Fund SPFPP update 010210

12. Thank you for listening For more information please contact: bpeaper@semta.org.uk ktoop@semta.org.uk ismith@semta.org.uk dmorris@semta.org.uk or www.semta.org.uk