The e-skills National Training Organisation (NTO) has become e-skills UK. e-skills UK builds on the extensive experience and expertise of the former NTO, with increased focus on employers’ needs and targeted action. As the industry representative body for IT skills, e-skills UK works with employers, educators, government and many other valued partners to understand, articulate and act on the skills needs of employers in the sector.

e-skills UK represents the IT industry, the Telecoms industry, and employers of IT and Telecoms professionals across industries. It also oversees two separate business units: Call2Change for the Call/Contact Centre sector, and IT4all for IT user skills.

In 2002, all NTOs are to be replaced with a new network of UK wide Sector Skills Councils (SSCs). SSCs have been charged to lead the skills and productivity drive in industry and bring together employers, trade unions and professional bodies working with government to develop the skills that UK business needs.

e-skills UK has applied for SSC status and the new Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) will start considering applications for SSC status once it has become fully operational. In the meantime, e-skills UK has been granted funding by government to carry out its plans of action for the three remits above.