The Management Standards Centre and SkillsActive are developing National Occupational Standards for Management and Leadership across the Skills for Business Network.

The standards will lie at the heart of a new management and leadership strategy for implementation across the whole SSC network from April 2007.

The partnership will enable both organisations to develop, maintain and promote the National Occupational Standards for Management and Leadership (NOS) across the Skills for Business Network (SfBN). It follows two years of collaboration between the Management Standards Centre (MSC) and SkillsActive. The link-up will also allow the Skills for Business Network to benefit from the expertise and resources of the Chartered Management Institute, through the MSC. For employers it will offer simplified access to the knowledge and practical application of the NOS.

The partnership will lead to a series of initiatives aimed at employers and the SSC community. In the wake of the Leitch Review, which identified key management skills that will drive employer investment on training and development, this partnership will address critical leadership skills across all sectors. Some key activities that will be undertaken include:

• the development of the NOS toolkit for rollout to key partners within the SfBN and wider management community
• provision of a dedicated helpine offering guidance on the use of the NOS
• engagement with the higher- and further-education communities to ensure management and leadership skills development is incorporated with ongoing learning
• production of an employers’ guide focusing on management and leadership standards

Mary Chapman, chief executive of the Chartered Management Institute, said: “To ensure the UK is competitive it is essential that priority is given to improve management skills for current and future leaders. This partnership is an example of how collaboration can offer a programme of action which offers real support for the SSC community and addresses the training and development needs of employers.”

Stephen Studd, chief executive of SkillsActive, commented: “This joint venture will provide the Skills for Business Network with access to information and resources which will help to promote and add value to the management and leadership standards. In partnership we will be in an even stronger position to unite employers, educators and government with a common agenda for action on skills.”