Launch of new standards for management and leadership

The new national occupational standards for management and leadership have been launched.

The standards set out best practice guidelines for management and leadership development across all sectors. They were launched by the Management Standards Centre (MSC) – an organisation within the Chartered Management Institute – which is funded and supported by the SSDA.

The standards, which were developed in conjunction with the Skills for Business network, cover 47 skill topics including: change management, customer service, delivering equal opportunities and team leadership.

The launch event was attended by the Chairs and CEOs of most SSCs, and the network will continue to play a key role until March 2005. We will work with the MSC to engage employers, professional and awarding bodies to identify early adopters and produce case studies.

Ivan Lewis MP, Minister for Skills and Vocational Education, said: “These new standards will help employers recruit and train the two million new managers they need by 2012. Employers report currently that one in three managers are not fully proficient to perform effectively in their job, lacking in particular some of the skills needed to develop a culture of high productivity. Our skills strategy is ensuring organisations will get the training they need through the new Sector Skills Councils and that providers will increasingly offer the training employers and individuals want.”

For more information about the standards, visit www.management-standards.org

Pictured: Ivan Lewis and Richard Martin, SSDA board member, attending the launch of the new standards.