A coalition of leading UK professional and membership bodies, representing more than one million professionals, has called on the government to work more closely with the sector to boost skills, productivity and public service reform.
In a letter to the minister for skills, Baroness Smith of Malvern, the coalition, which includes the Institution of Engineering Designers, argues that a more strategic partnership would support economic growth, strengthen public sector capability and help deliver key industrial priorities.
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Co-ordinated by Memcom, the membership organisation for professional bodies and associations, the coalition spans business, public services, infrastructure, health, science, engineering, marketing, leadership and safety-critical sectors. Together, the organisations set professional standards, accredit skills and support employers across the UK.
The letter sets out how professional bodies can play a greater role in delivering government priorities, including embedding accredited skills across the workforce, strengthening leadership and delivery capability in the public sector, and supporting growth sectors such as green technology, advanced manufacturing and innovation.
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The coalition calls for structured engagement with government, including the creation of a cross-sector working group, closer collaboration on skills programmes and formal recognition of professional accreditation within public sector reform and industrial strategies.
It highlights the unique role professional bodies play at the interface between employers, education providers and individual professionals, ensuring that skills and standards reflect real-world needs.
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Members of the coalition are already delivering major infrastructure projects, supporting safe and healthy workplaces, driving research and development, and transforming public services.
The signatories invite the minister and senior officials to meet to explore how a more strategic, long-term working relationship could be established to help ensure economic growth is underpinned by high professional standards and a globally competitive workforce.
The full letter, including the list of signatories, is available from Memcom.
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