Asset Skills successful in relicensing decision

---

Rigorous assessment gives performance rating of "good" 

July 2009

Asset Skills is one of four Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) to have successfully been relicensed.

It follows an independent review carried out by the National Audit Office (NAO) on behalf of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) as part of the relicensing of all 25 SSCs.

The rigorous NAO assessment gave Asset Skills an overall performance rating of "good" and a "low risk" band rating which means we will now receive a further trademark licence to operate as an SSC.

Of the "highest calibre"

Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Lord Mandelson, said: "The four SSCs relicensed today have shown that they are of the highest calibre and are providing a good service to employers in their sector. The comprehensive assessment process all SSCs undergo as part of the relicensing process will assist in raising standards even further, and ensure that SSCs have the confidence and support of employers in their sector."

Richard Beamish, Chief Executive of Asset Skills, said: "We are delighted to have been successful in our relicensing application. The process has taken more than nine months and has been a comprehensive evaluation of our progress.

"Businesses in our sector are undergoing huge change. The recession has created additional demand for social housing and for staff with the right skills. And environmental regulations are changing the skills requirements for facilities managers, cleaning operatives and people working in property. We are delighted that our new licence will mean we can continue important work in these areas."

Working with employers for employers

Sector Skills Councils are important advocates for their industries and the principle way that employers can exert influence on the skills and training system to make sure it is best meeting their needs. For that reason it is important that all SSCs are operating effectively and the relicensing process will ensure that this happens.

Chris Cracknell, Chief Executive of the OCS Group and Chairman of Asset Skills said: "Employers recognise the crucial work Asset Skills does. We now have a range of new vocational qualifications that did not exist before, developed by employers for employers. This work is essential in helping raise the skills of employees across the sector."

The other SSCs to have successfully been relicensed include Energy & Utility Skills, e-skills UK and SummitSkills.

The NAO reports and the recommendations of the Relicensing Panel are available at both www.ukces.org.uk and www.nao.org.uk

About the UK Commission for Employment and Skills

The remit of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills is to provide vigorous and independent challenge, advising government at the highest levels across the UK. It makes recommendations on employment and skills strategy, targets, policies and progress towards the challenging competitiveness goals set by Lord Leitch, including the vision of an 80% employment rate by 2020.

It has been asked by the government to report on crucial issues, such as the employability skills, employers need for future economic success, how UK employers can use skills to become more globally competitive, and whether further institutional change is required to deliver better integrated employment and skills services.

More information, including a detailed description of the relicensing process, is available at www.ukces.org.uk – click on Sector Skills Councils.