Government Skills Agency nears completion

The Sector Skills Development Agency framework is being finalised ahead of its official launch in April, when it will take chief responsibility for UK skills shortages in specific sectors, including in IT.

John Healey, the Adult Skills Minister, recently announced the appointment of Christopher Duff, currently the Chief Executive of the South Yorkshire Learning and Skills Council, as the new agency's first Chief Executive.

Mr Duff's appointment follows that of Margaret Salmon, a Director of the Government-backed 'University for Industry,' as Chair of the new agency in February.

Mr Healey said: "I want the SSDA under Margaret and Chris to signal a new beefed-up approach to tackling skills shortages on a sector basis. Chris's appointment reflects Government commitment to increasing the skills and productivity of the workforce in partnership with industry, commerce and public services."

Miss Salmon, the Chair of the SSDA, said: "Our joint goal is to build a high achieving organisation that makes a real difference to employers and to the skills of the UK workforce."

Mr Duff said: "I am pleased to be in at the very start of this great new project. We aim to put in place a substantive and highly credible network of Sector Skills Councils that can speak authoritatively and effectively for employer and business needs."

The Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) was first announced in October 2001 by Estelle Morris, Secretary of State for Education and Skills at an Employers' Skills Summit. It is likely to become an important platform for the negotiation of skills shortages in sectors such as IT and Engineering as represented by the Professional Contractors Group.