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The Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies

About Semta

Semta was among the first organisations to gain its licence as a sector skills council in 2003.  We operate in each of the English regions and in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

Our sectors

The sectors we represent are: aerospace, automotive, bioscience, electrical, electronics, maintenance, marine, mathematics, mechanical, metals and engineered metal products.

Science, engineering and manufacturing are strategic UK industries. Our remit is large and important:

  • 75,000 companies and a workforce of 2 million make up our ‘footprint’.
  • UK engineering and science turnover was £257 billion in 2007 (Source: ABI 2007, ONS).
  • UK engineering exports amounted to £137 billion in 2007: 37% of total UK exports of goods and services (Source: UK Trade in Goods 2007, ONS). 
  • The UK is Europe’s top location for investment in pharmaceutical and biotechnology research and development.  

Our aim

Our aim is to raise the skills levels and competitiveness of our sectors and ensure each sector has the right people with the right skills at the right time.

Our work

We research and represent employer skills needs to governments and work with those who plan, fund and deliver education and training to raise sector competitiveness.

Every part of the skills agenda is our concern - whether it’s making sure enough suitable college courses are on offer, upskilling on the shopfloor or developing managers and leaders. 

We also work with businesses of all sizes – from the smallest micro-companies to the largest corporations.  

Skills action plans by sector

Skills Action Plans (known as Sector Skills Agreements - SSA's) are central to our work. These employer-led pacts set out the skills each sector needs and identify how those skills will be supplied.  Indepth research, analysis and consultation have helped us reach agreements that cover our entire ‘footprint’ across the UK.  As we continue to check that these plans stay relevant and up-to-date, our key task now is to work with employers, providers and other stakeholders to implement agreed actions.

To find out more click HERE.

Our priorities

Research has determined our key action areas and helped shape our business plan. The priorities set out in our strategic plan for 2008 – 2011 are to:

  • improve the match between skills supply and demand to suit the local economy
  • upskill those with no qualifications
  • improve management and leadership skills
  • tackle issues relating to an ageing workforce 

Key objectives include:

  • widening business-university links to include more smaller companies
  • working with employers to increase the number of apprenticeships
  • delivery of the Business-Improvement Techniques (B-IT) NVQ
  • increasing take-up of Semta’s Leadership Development and Managing for Success programmes
  • equipping existing employees with better skills and knowledge
  • encouraging more young people to follow science, technology, engineering and maths options  

Our senior management team

Semta is managed by a team of directors with a wealth of complementary experience. For full details, click HERE.

Our board

Senior executives from major companies and key organisations make up our employer-led board. For full details click HERE.

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Copyright © 2008 Semta

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Part of the Skills for Business network of 25 employer-led Sector Skills Councils