What is an NSA?

National Skills Academies are employer-led centres of training excellence. The government’s mission is to create a world class workforce by delivering the skills that employers need in each sector of the economy.

Academies take different shapes and forms, ranging from purpose-built training centres to online courses, tailored to the needs of each sector. The National Skills Academy in Financial Services at St. Andrews House is a purpose built centre that incorporates teaching and the everyday working of real businesses.

Crucially, skills academies are led by employers who work with government and directly with City College Norwich to shape the training and qualifications that will help them compete in global markets. This is an exciting development–the first time that business leaders have taken control of the design and delivery of learning in their industry.

Skills academies are now operating in 10 key sectors of the economy, from financial services and creative & cultural to construction and manufacturing–and another six are in business planning. Over time, the government wants to have a skills academy in every major sector of the economy.

“In the current economic climate when businesses are struggling it is especially important for employers to invest in skills and training. The National Skills Academy Network is led by employers and enables them to focus on developing the key skills needed in each industry to help drive it forward.”
Minister for Skills, Lord Young

You can find out more information about National Skills Academies here