Devolution of skills policy


Adding to the complexity of the skills system is the fact that responsibilities for skills, education and employment policies are devolved to varying degrees throughout the UK. Education policies are most devolved across the four nations, while welfare and employment policies are less devolved. Skills policies are increasingly being further devolved, both across the UK and within the nations themselves. 


England


In England, the Department for Education (DfE) is responsible for education and training policy up to the age of 18 while the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) manages skills policy, including 16-18 apprenticeships.


Skills policy is also devolved within England itself. There are 39 Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) between local authorities and businesses which have a role in directing local skills strategies and working with colleges, training providers, employers and the Skills Funding Agency to set skills priorities. City Deals are playing an increasing role in influencing local skills provision in cities outside London (see page 10).


As well as LEPs and City Deals there are Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) — employer-led organisations that cover specific industrial sectors in the United Kingdom (see below). They have four key goals: to support employers in developing and managing apprenticeship standards, to reduce skills gaps and shortages and improve productivity.


Scotland


Skills policy was devolved to the Scottish Parliament through the Scotland Act 1998. The Scottish cabinet includes secretaries for fair work, skills and training and for education and lifelong learning. Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council are the main non-departmental government bodies responsible for overseeing skills programmes and managing funding for both colleges and universities. The Scottish government’s skills strategy, Skills for Scotland, was developed in 2007 and “refreshed” in 2010 following the global financial crisis. SSCs also operate in Scotland.


Wales


Skills policy was formally devolved to the Welsh Assembly in the Government of Wales Act 2006. The Welsh Department of Education and Skills oversees skills policy and its 2014 Policy statement on skills, and the subsequent Skills implementation plan outline Wales’ overarching skills policy. The statement specifically describes policy actions to support the literacy and numeracy skills of adult learners which it says “will reduce the need over time for additional intervention in supporting adult learners. It is important in the longer term that all individuals completing compulsory and post-compulsory education possess the literacy and numeracy skills required to enter the world of work or progress into further learning”. SSCs also operate in Wales.


Northern Ireland


Employment and skills have been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly since the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The skills system in Northern Ireland largely mirrors the English system. Skills implementation is managed by the Northern Ireland Department for Employment and Learning. The major policy framework is Success through skills: the skills strategy for Northern Ireland, published in 2002 and updated in 2010. SSCs also operate in Northern Ireland.