The Sector Skills Development Agency has approved the first expression of interest for SSC development. The proposals came from employers in the engineering, science and engineering technology sectors and involved a high level of employer support and financial commitment from all parts of the proposed sector.

Following the announcement, Christopher Duff, chief executive of the SSDA said: "The business leaders and trade union representatives on the Board are delighted to begin the important task of helping employers set up the new network of Sector Skills Councils. And they have asked me to congratulate their counterparts in the engineering, science and engineering technology sector who have put in such a strong set of early proposals for SSC development."

Speaking on behalf of the proposed SSC for engineering, science and engineering technology sectors, Dr Michael Sanderson said: "Although being accepted for the next stage of development doesn’t mean automatic progression to a five-year SSC licence it does mark an important milestone in the process and confirms the central role of engineering, science end engineering technology in forging a competitive and developing economy for the 21st century."

Explaining the next steps, Christopher Duff added: "There now follows an important period of up to six months for the Agency, working with the sector, to help develop and ensure a strong, credible Sector Skills Council can emerge. If the high standards can be met then the Board will be in a position to make final recommendations to the four lifelong learning Ministers in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England and the Secretary of State for Education and Skills."

There is no deadline by which employers must submit expressions of interest in setting up SSCs and no cut-off date by which time the network must be in place.