During the period of this strategic plan, SummitSkills will implement its newly developed objectives that meet the targets of the Government and those of the devolved administrations and most importantly meet the needs of those working in the sector.

I believe SummitSkills' record of delivery, performance and influence is central to our success. It is my responsibility, in my new role, to sustain and build upon this excellent platform. We have produced a Sector Skills Agreement, a set of targets that will guide our day-to-day activities and ensure that we meet the needs of employers and stakeholders in the sector. We will work hard to meet these targets in order to deliver the highest quality performance for the benefit of everyone in the sector.

Our sector is characterised by small to medium sized enterprises, micro, and sole trader companies, who tend to be reactive to change, rather than proactively anticipating and planning for it. But, the pace of technological change and globalisation will alter the sector, and businesses must rise to the challenges and opportunities open to it, not least in ensuring that there will be a skilled workforce as the economy recovers. To remain competitive in the long term, advances in skills development are needed across the sector, driven and supported by SummitSkills.

Engaging with employers in our sector is fundamental to what we do and why we exist.  Talking to and working with employers allows us to determine the skills needed and used within each core industry, so that we can shape national occupational standards and qualifications that deserve public funding and employer support. Additionally, employer engagement through research allows us to highlight issues in the sector and ensure these form part of our objectives, and to ensure that our role as a Sector Skills Council truly represents the whole BSE sector.

We have conducted extensive research and it has given us a clear picture of the sector, its external influences, key skills, challenges and the training provision available to it. There are seven key issues facing the sector:

• Threat from globalisation.
• Skills deficiencies in environmental and renewable technologies.
• Government regulation.
• Absence of current and future skills planning.
• Lack of a robust form of management focus.
• Basic skills of new entrants and IT skills of experienced staff.
• Engagement in research.

Everyone we work with, employers, trade associations, training providers and government understand that we need to provide both employers and employees with the skills that the sector's workforce needs. All of them are committed to help us make it happen.

Of the seven key issues identified, perhaps the most topical is skills deficiencies in environmental and renewable technologies. The drive to reduce carbon emissions, sustainable development and energy efficiency is an area where our sector plays a major role. Spiralling fuel costs and increasing awareness of the need to conserve traditional energy supplies by both businesses and consumers will inevitably lead to a greater demand for renewable energy sources. The government's renewables strategy will underpin this, but the UK currently does not have the installation skills to respond to an increase in environmental technology installation. Training will be needed to meet skills requirements across the sector where levels of activity are rising quickly and, it is envisaged, will rise further as the UK approaches the 2010 Kyoto performance assessment.

There is a strong need to create an aspirational image for the BSE sector and attract high calibre entrants into our core industries. SummitSkills launched its Good Day campaign in 2008 with the aim of demonstrating to employers, employees and new entrants to the sector that they can enjoy a satisfying and successful day in business by developing skills. The campaign will continue to encourage employers to undertake training initiatives, even during the current economic downturn, by demonstrating that it can create new opportunities and has a proven impact on commercial success.

Our commitment to driving and recognising outstanding skills is achieved through our annual Skill M&E competitions and National Training Awards. Skill M&E incorporates four skills competitions - SkillELECTRIC for the electrical industry, SkillFRIDGE for the refrigeration and air conditioning industry, SkillPLUMB for the plumbing industry, and new for 2009, SkillPIPE for the heating & ventilating industry. These competitions, organised by SummitSkills, assess candidates on a series of practical tests based on work situations, and identify the best of the best in each category. The National Training Awards recognise outstanding craft operatives, engineers and future managers who clearly demonstrate their ability to combine work, family life and training in order to progress in the sector.

We know that world-class skills drive performance in a profitable and competitive sector, and this applies to our sector no less than to any other. It is clear that SummitSkills has achieved a great deal during its first five years, but there is still much to do and the next few years pose the challenge of achieving even more. During my career I have worked in skills and construction in a number of roles but I know that SummitSkills, with its committed and dedicated executive team and key supporters, including trade associations, government and individual employers, can provide the sector with the flexible and high quality skills it requires to tackle the issues that the future will throw at us.

As a sector we face some challenging times ahead, but we will make sure that if you're a plumber, heating contractor, refrigeration engineer or electrician you'll be ready for the skills challenges ahead.

To obtain a copy of SummitSkills' Strategic Plan 2008-2013, contact 01908 303960

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