GOVERNMENT COMMITS FUNDING TO DEVELOPING THIRD SECTOR SKILLS

Government Ministers have today (21 October) announced that £2.5million will be made available over the next three years to set up a brand new skills body for the third sector, opening up thousands of new learning and development opportunities for people working and volunteering in the third sector across the UK. Speaking at the ‘Mind the Gap’ conference Kevin Brennan MP (Minister for the Third Sector) and Lord Young of Norwood Green (Skills Minister) committed funding for a new organisation to be responsible for supporting skills development in the third sector. 

On behalf of the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils, Skills for Justice – the sector skills council for Justice – will act as an ‘incubator’ for the new Third Sector Skills body in its early days, providing premises it can operate from and back office support. 

The third sector makes a significant contribution to the economy and to creating stronger communities.  It also plays a big part in the delivery of our public services.  The third sector workforce has grown considerably over the last 10 years, and draws on the experience and enthusiasm of many thousands of volunteers from across the UK. 

The development of skills amongst the third sector workforce is vital to maintaining and increasing the sector’s achievements, yet it can be difficult for the sector to access support for skills. A Government consultation on the sector’s skills needs as part of the Third Sector Review has identified the need for a new impetus.  As a result the new third sector skills body is to be created. 

Alan Woods OBE, CEO Skills for Justice, said: “On behalf of the Alliance I welcome the decision to set up a new third sector skills body.  The third sector makes an invaluable contribution to society and the economy.  Its workforce, many of whom are volunteers, deserve the best support we can give them.  My own background is in the third sector, and I know what a struggle it can be to find help and support that is clear, quick and relevant.”

The new body will have a major impact on third sector employers, resulting in direct support from SSCs leading to high quality learning and development opportunities.  Information, specifically crafted for the third sector, will be available to help people make informed choices, and innovative solutions created to meet their skills needs.

The new third sector skills body will aim to: 

• be a powerful voice, working with and influencing Sector Skills Councils in meeting the needs of the third sector organisations they cover
• be an influential advocate in the national debate on skills
• ensure that the national skills system addresses those cross-cutting needs unique to the third sector, like fundraising and campaigning
• lead the drive to spread the word about skills development opportunities to third sector employers, in ways that are accessible and a part of their normal communication channels
• consider the skills needs of all of the third sector, including the voluntary sector, charities, community organisations and social enterprises.

Although it will not be a Sector Skills Council, the new skills body will be positioned firmly alongside SSCs, benefiting from the early support and help of Skills for Justice.     

John Rogers, Chair of the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils, said: “This is excellent news and I look forward to working with the new Third Sector Skills body, alongside colleagues from other SSCs.  It really cannot be stressed enough the contribution that the third sector makes to society as a whole, especially in raising funds, the huge contribution of  volunteers across the UK and the campaigning for good causes across the globe.” 

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