Lifelong Learning sector to get Skills Council

Employers in the Lifelong Learning sector will now have a stronger say in the development of their workforce.

It follows the creation of a new sector skills council - Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK) – which will cover further education, higher education, work-based learning, community-based learning and development, youth work, libraries, archives and other information services.

The council will take the lead in assessing skills needs and working towards the development of a highly skilled workforce within the sector.

Launching the new council, Minister for Employment and Learning, Angela Smith, said: "LLUK will work towards determining what skills are needed in the workforce and will collaborate with stakeholders to see how those needs will be met. This process is fundamental in ensuring skills needs are effectively addressed."

LLUK is part of the developing UK wide Skills for Business Network which, when complete, will incorporate 25 Sector Skills Councils. They will all be tasked with engaging employers in the identification and promotion of the skills needed in our workplaces.

Wednesday's launch took place in the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings, in front of a range of representatives from the education and training sector.

(MB/GB)