[cma-l] New third sector skills body

[CMA-L]

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) in the Cabinet Office 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."

Notes to editors

1. The OTS is part of the Cabinet Office and first announced plans to
create a dedicated third sector skills body in the 'Third Sector
Review', an overarching strategy to create the environment for a
thriving third sector. For further information please see:
htt p://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/third_sector_review.aspx

2. Skills for Justice is the sector skills council for the justice
sector. It will host the third sector workforce development council
for the coming three years. For Further information please see:
http://www.skillsforjustice.com

3. National Occupational Standards define the competences which apply
to job roles or occupations in the form of statements of performance,
knowledge and the evidence required to confirm competence. For further
information please see:
ht tp://www.ukstandards.co.uk/About_occupational_standards/default.aspx

4. The NCVO is a national umbrella organisation for third sector
organisations. For further information please see:
http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/about/

Cabinet Office Press Office
22 Whitehall
LONDON SW1A 2WH
Tel: 020 7276 0317
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk