National occupational standards, apprenticeship frameworks and qualifications are the core focus of work outlined in SummitSkills’ new strategic plan for 2015 to 2018.

After transitioning last year from a sector skills council to a standard setting organisation (SSO), SummitSkills has refined its activities to become more efficient and better reflect the needs of industry.

A key part of SummitSkills’ role is to act as the voice of employers across the building services engineering (BSE) sector on industry standards and changes to qualifications and apprenticeships, and ensuring skills development projects meet the needs of businesses on the ground.

Its six strategic objectives for the forthcoming three years are:

• To be recognised by employers, governments and other key stakeholders as the independent SSO for the BSE sector in the UK and the leading voice on skills


• To be the employer-led, coordinating organisation for the development and maintenance of qualifications and units


• Develop and maintain apprenticeship frameworks that meet the needs of BSE employers


• Ensure that National Occupational Standards for the BSE sector are maintained and enhanced in line with employer demands


• Provide a cost-effective certification and modern apprenticeship issuing service for the BSE sector across the UK


• Act as the UK lead on skills in the low carbon agenda for the BSE sector.

“SummitSkills is dedicated to giving the BSE sector a voice on the ever-changing skills landscape,” explained Nigel Hollett, general manager of SummitSkills. “We are ambitious about our future and realising our vision of being the UK employer-led organisation responsible for ensuring excellent skills in the building services engineering sector.”

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