Skills Pledge
The National Skills pledge and the Proskills sustainable workforce pledge
An employer focused approach to workforce development
The National Skills Pledge was launched by the English government in 2007 to raise the skills levels of the UK to sustain and improve its competitive position in the global economy.
| The National Skills Pledge is a voluntary, public commitment made by an organisation to invest in the skills of its workforce. By making the National Skills Pledge, employers commit to boosting the productivity and efficiency of their organisation and in improving the competence of staff in line with the needs of their business through skills training. |
| Building on the National Skills Pledge, the Sustainable Workforce Pledge has been developed by Proskills Industry Board employers. It includes an industry specific commitment that identifies the key requirements for skills training in response to the recognition that a fully competent workforce is required to drive productivity, to increase competitiveness and to ensure business sustainability. |
Who can benefit?
The National Skills Pledge and Sustainable Workforce Pledge are aimed at all companies, whatever their size, from any industry.
Why would employers make the pledge?
By making the National Skills Pledge and the Sustainable Workforce Pledge, employers in England will have access to available support funding from Government as well as a whole raft of tools and services to help ensure that skills are developed that will make a significant difference to business performance.
Business Benefits from making the pledge:
- Public commitment to skills improvement, aiding recruitment and retention
- A more motivated and confident workforce
- Encourage initiative and innovation and unlock full potential of your workforce
- Better able to meet legal and Health & Safety Requirements – fewer accidents
- Measurable return on your investment in skills training
- Bottom-line improvements – more profits
- Improved competitiveness
- Increased productivity through improved performance
- Improved quality and accuracy – less waste, more efficiency
- Better customer relations – fewer complaints, better customer retention
The Process
In return to making the pledge, The Academy will be supporting skills Brokers and training providers to help identify training solutions, source funding and carry out analysis. Certificates will be sent to you to allow you to demonstrate to employees, customers and other stakeholders your commitment to the development of your workforce.
Jonathan Ledger, Proskills Strategic Programme Manager, said “To date many employers have signed the National Skills Pledge and the Sustainable workforce pledge, recognising the importance of commitment. This is just the beginning of their drive to improve skills levels and overall performance of their businesses. In doing so, the Skills Pledges help the Academy provide a whole raft of support services to make business improvement a reality.”