What the sector says...

"We now have an ability to influence change which is what I want to take advantage of. It’s extremely important for employers who are at the sharp end of skills and training to have a voice, and say what they need."
Peter Hucker, Daly Heating Contractors

"To move companies forward in today’s competitive markets, it is essential that the infrastructure, resources and training are available to suit our specific industry. Too much money has been wasted in the past on irrelevant and outdated areas. It is vital that employers voice their opinion now so that the agreement truly reflects employers’ needs."
Barry Briers, End Systems Limited

"It is paramount for employers to have a route to the bodies that make training decisions. Employers, and trainees, need to be sure that training is of value and relevant. Skills development should not be seen in isolation but as part of the ethos of a valued industry."
Mary Gowing, Gowing and Hunt

"If staff are confident and feel good about their job, it’s because they’ve been skilled. The sector needs employees that are motivated, have good people management skills and good communications skills. You can be the best engineer in the world but if you can’t get your point across to the client and the rest of the design team, you’re going nowhere."  Michael Dorgan, EDP Limited

“In today’s environment it’s important that the industry has a voice to accurately represent its needs. This is why we will help to deliver the SSA with fellow employers to move forward the sector’s views, interests and initiatives, feed progress back to our associations and encourage further involvement from businesses in the sector.”
Paul Kane, Central Group Services Ltd

“We’ve valued our contribution to the SSA strategic development – employer involvement is vital to the whole process, so it’s important now for more businesses to be aware of the plan and contribute, to ensure we move the provision of training to a truly employer-led system.”
Steve Craddock, CA Sothers Ltd

“Through the Sector Skills Agreement we can, ultimately, influence the two sectors which are the lifeblood of our industry: education – by recognising our qualification requirements and career opportunities, and our clients – by raising their awareness of our quality, skills and competence.”
Dave Ede, Lilleker Bros Ltd

SummitSkills has done an excellent job here of identifying the drivers of change in this sector. Restructuring along the lines that SummitSkills has articulated is very important to the future of our industry.”
Peter Hucker, Daly Engineering

“The bottom line is that industry engagement is critical to training. If the perception is that current qualifications are not meeting the needs of industry, they may find alternative ways of training.”
Ben Jackson, Heri-Tage

“The meetings and events have been a welcome opportunity for SIAS to contribute, I have been able to present our views and also hear that other employers feel the same way. The recommendations so far will result in positive change for our sector.”
Joe Pojunas, SIAS Building Services

This was a superb event which dealt with the relevant problems facing the sector today. The whole event was hosted in a professional manner, leading to a productive and worthwhile outcome. I would urge all businesses to play a part in the Sector Skills Agreement.
Diane Johnson, director, Eric Johnson of Northwich Ltd

Every industry has problems that are not addressed due to the time constraints of every day work. Forums such as this allow participants to take a step back and look at the bigger picture, ensuring our industries move forward, changing for the better. From what I’ve seen so far, this is a very positive process that can only improve the way our sector is run.
John Burrows, T Clarke

The brainstorming sessions at the Horizon workshop I attended were excellent. There was a good selection of people present – from training providers to larger firms – who put forward useful ideas and solutions. The findings presented by Dr. Mike Hammond were extensive and of a very high standard. I was not aware of all of the issues he raised.
Andrew Crooke, Yorkshire and Humberside regional president, Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors