UKCES

Sector Qualifications Strategies (SQS) outline current and future learning and qualifications needs by employers in sectors.

These SQSs have been developed as part of the Sector Skills Agreements (SSAs) process. Through SSAs, Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) identified the skills needs of sectors, analysed the current provision and agreed interventions with key partners to improve the match between education and training supply and employment need. The SQSs are used by the qualifications regulatory authorities of the four home nations and by SSCs to influence awarding body provision.

In addition to the SQS Executive Summary (section 1) there are five additional sections to the SQS:

2.    Scope of the SQS

In this section the SQS provides details of the UK-wide scope in terms of:

• sector coverage
• occupations covered
• population of learners
• range of provision and types of current qualifications
• any differences and similarities between the four UK nations, as well as any overlaps with other SSCs.

This section should cover both accredited and non-accredited qualifications as appropriate.

3.    Sector working environment

The SQS provides an overview of the key features (relevant to qualifications and other learning provision) of the sector-specific working environment(s). It also provides an indication of the numbers of people employed within these environment(s).

4.    Summary of current qualifications and other learning provision

The SQS should summarise the main types of qualifications and other learning provision used within the sector.

This section provides the sector with an opportunity to highlight the gaps in current provision and mismatches in qualification levels and types compared to need from its employers’ perspective. The section should cover both accredited and non-accredited qualifications as appropriate.

5.    Other sector uses of qualifications

The SQS analyses the ways in which qualifications are used to meet sector-specific need.

6.    How the sector will help realise its vision of the future

The SQS presents a description of future provision for the sector which should inform the detailed Action Plans. It outlines the actions by which the SSC or SSB intends to help realise its view of the future by helping to prepare materials and by collaborating with other relevant stakeholders.