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Strategic partnerships

All Sector Skills Councils recognise the need to work with others on common issues. By developing strategic relationships, with employers in the sector, as well as with bodies outside it, we can work together on common issues, sharing best practice and learning from each other.

Strategic agreement with the Ministry of Defence

The Armed Services represent about a quarter of the central government sector. They have a strong focus on training and education as part of their employment offer. Standards and qualifications are a core part of this. Because of the broad range of occupational groupings across the services, they have a strategic objective to influence the development of National Occupational Standards (NOS) and qualifications to get the best fit with their operational requirements.

Government Skills has drawn up a strategic partnership agreement to articulate how we will work with the Minstry of Defence (MoD), in particular with respect to the Armed Forces.

The agreement makes sure that Government Skills will consider the needs of the MoD and fully represent MoD interests. Both parties are committed to regular and open communication to ensure that the partnership agreement works well.

The offer: specific areas of work

• Influence within the Skills for Business Network – where there is shared interest between Government Skills and the MoD, Government Skills will establish contacts with these Sector Skills Councils and ensure engagement effectively represents the MoD.
• Improved workforce data and intelligence – Government Skills will shape research so MoD can better understand the nature of their workforce.
• Funding and support – The Skills Strategy is an ideal vehicle to help the MoD pursue and secure agreement to funding and other support for its training requirements for staff at all levels.
• Standards and qualifications – The Sector Qualifications Strategy will look at a range of standards and qualifications used in the sector, and identify and address gaps. Qualifications are central to the Armed Forces and the agreement means MoD will influence how these are developed, giving MoD full engagement through ongoing liaison.
• National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in Public Services – Government Skills owns the NVQ in Public Services and will develop it so it meets future needs of the Armed Forces as well as the broader central government sector.