New Initiative to Develop a Standardised Skills Classification for the UK

A collaborative effort led by the University of Sheffield and the Warwick Institute for Employment Research is underway to create a standardised skills classification for the UK workforce.

This Department for Education sponsored initiative aims to address the current challenges of fragmented and complex skills assessment, hindering effective communication and collaboration between employers, educators, and workers.

The ability to identify and develop the skills needed for the UK's future workforce is critical for addressing key challenges such as improving productivity, reducing inequality, and the transition to net-zero. However, the current system for measuring and assessing skills is fragmented and lacks a consistent language. This makes it difficult to share information on skills effectively between different stakeholders.

The Standard Skills Classification (SSC) will be a comprehensive and coherent list of the skills and knowledge required for the various occupations in the UK. By linking the SSC to jobs, training programs, and qualifications, it will serve as a powerful tool for several key groups:

  • Employers: The SSC will streamline the recruitment process by enabling more efficient search for candidates and easier matching of those with the necessary skills.
  • Employees: Streamlined career planning and identification of relevant training needs will be simplified with the clear framework provided by the SSC.
  • Educators and training providers: Curriculums can be tailored to align with the specific skills demanded by the current and future job market.
  • Policymakers: The SSC will enable more precise labour market analysis for informed decision-making.

The successful implementation of a UK SSC has the potential to significantly improve how the UK identifies, develops, and utilises the skills needed for a thriving workforce.

The project team, led by Professor Andy Dickerson (University of Sheffield), Professor Peter Elias and Dr. Jeisson Cardenas-Rubio (Warwick Institute for Employment Research) and Neil Bachelor (CEO, Omnifolio C.I.C.), is committed to user engagement. A prototype SSC will be available for review, testing, and feedback by the end of 2024 to ensure it meets the needs of all stakeholders, with the final rollout anticipated by March 2026.