Stage 1

'Researching Current & Future Skills Needs'

This stage has been centred on gathering employer views on current and future skill gaps and determining where there are requirements that are not being met and are therefore hampering their growth. Employers were also asked to comment on levels and quality of existing training provision, and highlight any other training and development issues the government should address which would benefit the sector. Feedback was collected through various media, including an online questionnaire, employer forums, and one-to-one interviews.

Research complete, the report is available to download now or to purchase a hard copy.

Stage 2

'Assessing Education Supply & Capacity' 

This involved researching the capacity and capability of current provision drawn from education and training providers.

Research complete, the report is available to download now. Alternatively, a hard copy report will be available to purchase from 30 March.

Stage 3

'Assessing the gaps and weaknesses'

This involves the comparison of the skills needs identified by employers with current and proposed future training and education supply. Through employer consultations and further research the differences between the two will be identified, mapped and prioritised. Proposed solutions to identified skills gaps will also be discussed.

Stage 4

'Agreeing the scope for collaborative action'

This stage will involve employers, education and training providers, key stakeholders, and strategic funding bodies in deciding how to tackle the identified priorities. All parties will agree what form the action might take and assess how employers are willing to contribute to the agreed solutions.

'Developing the action plan'

This will involve employers, key stakeholders, education and training providers and strategic funding bodies. This stage will result in the creation of a carefully planned, fully costed Sector Skills Agreement for Financial Services.