The Federation for Industry Sector Skills and Standards represents, promotes and supports the 21 Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) across the UK. SSCs are the employer-led skills organisations covering in total approximately 90% of the UK workforce. They work with over 550,000 employers to define skills needs and skills standards in their industry. The Federation is the collective voice of SSCs and has the unique role of positioning them effectively in the skills systems across the UK nations. The network of SSCs provides the employer leadership to address skills needs within and across sectors. Through their sectoral reach, SSCs are ideally placed to articulate the voice of employers on skills, to develop innovative skills solutions and to galvanise employer ambition and investment in skills and job creation. Certification of Apprenticeships – Working with over 7,500 training providers and 500,000 Apprentices in England, Scotland and Wales to provide them with their final Apprenticeship Certificate. In the last rolling 12 months we certificated 319,852 Apprentices and have reduced charges by 25%; Quality Assurance of the Apprenticeship process with and on behalf of The Education & Skills Funding Agency, the National Apprenticeship Service and Employers. In the last year we brought more consistency and reduced the cost of the system; Professional Standards development through sharing best practice and developing a code of practice; Driving growth through skills by ensuring through the Sector Skills Councils that skills development supports productivity and profitability growth and ensues the views of employers are articulated and heard by those making skills policy; and Sector Skills Councils – There are 16 Sector Skills Councils and 5 Sector Skills Bodies who work with over 550,000 employers to define skills needs and skills standards in their industry. For more information please click on the links at the top of the page or contact us on 0845 072 5600 or info@fisss.org.