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Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) are independent, employer-led
organisations responsible for tackling the skills and productivity
needs of their industry sectors UK-wide. Through labour market
intelligence, identifying skills needs at all levels and
influencing the UK's education and learning infrastructure, SSCs
aim to increase the competitiveness of the sectors they
represent.
The 25 Sector Skills Councils that make up the UK's Skills for
Business network are licensed by the Secretary of State for
Education and Skills, in consultation with Ministers in Scotland,
Wales and Northern Ireland.
The Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) is responsible for
supporting, funding and monitoring the performance of the
SSCs.
Semta received its Sector Skills Council licence in 2003, and
is currently the largest SSC representing the 75,000 businesses and
2 million employees throughout the science, engineering and
manufacturing technologies sector.