21 October, 2008

The Government today announced plans to create a new Third Sector skills body which will identify and address skills gaps and shortages for charities, voluntary groups, social enterprises and other third sector organisations. It will pull together the work of the sector skills councils to open up learning opportunities for third sector paid and voluntary staff. It will ensure the sector's needs are properly considered in the design development of National Occupational Standards, the design Apprenticeship Frameworks and Sector Qualification Strategies.

The Office of the Third Sector (OTS) and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) will jointly fund the new skills body with £2.5 million over the next three years. It will be independent and directed by a board representing the sector¡¯s employers. To help the new body become established, Skills for Justice will act as an incubator.

Kevin Brennan, Minister for the Third Sector said:

"This will put the third sector's skills needs on the same level as other sectors. Charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises deal with some of the most challenging social and environmental issues. Whether they are multi-million pound global operations or small community groups, having employees and volunteers with the right skills to get the job done is essential.

"The skills body is one more part of the Government's comprehensive strategy to help the third sector to thrive, root out injustice and build a fairer society."

Lord Young, Minister for Skills and Apprenticeships, said:

"The third sector skills body will be a real step change to how charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups get the skills they need. As well as developing programmes to plug the immediate skill gaps, it will link the third sector in to the complete national skills framework and influence the development of skills support services for the benefit of the sector."

Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) said:

"We very much welcome this decision to create a dedicated skills body for the sector, which acknowledges the crucial part that our sector and its workforce play. The new body will be able to build on the experience of the Workforce Hub and its achievements of the past four years."

From http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector.aspx