UK Standard Skills Classification
The UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC) is a new national framework, to help the UK think about and discuss skills in It was created on behalf of Skills England and officially launched at a special event on 30 April and publically announced by the government on 11 May 2026.
The UK Skills Explorer Digital tool is new comprehensive way of identifying and describing skills needs to help employers, training providers, job seekers, and people looking to upskill to get the best from the system. The innovative new tool will make it much easier to match people to job opportunities and target skills investment where it matters most. It offers the most detailed, data driven picture yet of the UK labour market, and marks a significant step forward in how we think about and discuss skills in the UK.
A report, UK Standard Skills Classification development report, also published by Skills England, explains how the SCC has been developed, its uses, and proposals for how it could be maintained.
The tool was created by the University of Warwick’s Institute for Employment Research (IER) and the University of Sheffield, in partnership with Omnifolio on behalf of Skills England, the SSC is a standardised set of categories that identify the skills, knowledge and tasks required across UK occupations. It provides linkage between skills, occupations and knowledge, the SSC allows users, including employers, training providers and job seekers, to confidently identify needs and plan provision using a simple, common language.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Careers in the electrotechnical industry
- CIOB Articles.
- Civil engineering careers advice and guidance
- Historic Environment Skills and Careers Action Plan for England HESCAPE
- Lack of construction careers advice threatens housing targets, CIOB warns
- National construction careers campaign needed to meet development demand
- Skills and careers
- Skills in the construction industry
- UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC): A shared framework for describing skills needs
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
New measures to stop people being ripped off
Government to protect families from cowboy builders and aggressive bailiffs.
New Futurebuild showcase brings an innovation-first approach.
National Planning Policy Framework
Understanding the 2026 changes.
ECA's public affairs priorities
Member consultation opens to shape priorities for 2027 to 2030.
Dutyholder responsibilities from 1 July 2026.
Where performance meets practice
The Building Envelope Stage at UKCW Birmingham.
CIAT publishes briefing on planning reforms.
Leaders in Learning for Practice Network
Call for conservation leaders in learning to register interest in new network.
The importance of early engagement
Construction lessons from the Trillium HealthWorks Experience Centre.
Mayors are to be given planning call in powers
Mayors across England will be able to make the most important planning decisions.
The Master Builder: William Butterfield and his times. Book review.
Why construction can't afford to ignore the skills gap.


















