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.

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."

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."