Dame Mary Marsh, interim Chair of Skills-Third Sector has announced the appointment of Jane Slowey as the Chair of the new cross-sector skills body for the third sector.
Jane Slowey is Chief Executive of The Foyer Federation and has been an active contributor to the development of policy and practice for skills in third sector organisations.
Dame Mary said "This is an excellent appointment for the third sector. Jane brings a wealth of experience and connections in skills development for the sector. I am confident that, with her leadership, Skills-Third Sector will play a very important part in this crucial arena working in partnership with the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills."
Jane Slowey said "I am delighted to have the opportunity to build on the work Mary Marsh and colleagues have already done to create Skills-Third Sector and grateful to my own organization for allowing me the opportunity to help take this work forward. Communities across the UK benefit every day from the contributions made by employees, volunteers and trustees in third sector organizations of all shapes and sizes.
"The creation of Skills-Third Sector provides an exciting opportunity for the third sector to strengthen its commitment to developing those skills and talents. Until now the sector's role as an employer has been overlooked too often and I look forward to working with sector skills councils and others to reinforce and invest in the contribution the third sector makes to both the social and economic life of our country."
Chris Humphries from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills said "I am delighted that Skills-Third Sector has made such encouraging early progress and very much welcome the announcement of Jane Slowey as its Chair. The Commission looks forward to working with Skills -Third Sector as it establishes the powerful linkages needed between third sector organisations, the network of Sector Skills Councils and the wider skills system. Skills-Third Sector provides an opportunity to "grasp the nettle" and make a real difference to the skills of all those who work in the third sector".
Skills - Third Sector
The new independent body, Skills - Third Sector, was established in January 2009 through funding from DIUS (the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills) and the Office for the Third Sector. This funding is being managed by UKCES (UK Commission for Employment and Skills). The sector skills council, Skills for Justice, has helped the new body to become established by acting as an incubator.
Skills - Third Sector will engage with and gain support from the sector employers. Its key functions are:
- Mainstreaming Third Sector issues across Sector skills Councils (SSCs) and other sector skills organisations
- Identifying third sector skill needs to inform government, SSCs and learning providers to achieve more sector specific training
- Promoting existing skills opportunities to the sector
- Drawing up occupational standards and a qualifications strategy
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