Skills Committee - Terms of Reference

Constitution

The Skills Committee is a sub-committee of the University of Derby Governing Council and as such its actions are open to scrutiny and approval by the full Council. The delegation of functions does not absolve the Governing Council from accountability for the conduct and decisions of its committees. The Governing Council remains responsible for the proper conduct of the University for undertaking its duties under the instruments and articles of government and for complying with the other legislation to which it is subject. The Terms of Reference of the Committee may be varied at any time by the Governing Council.

1. Composition

The membership shall include:

• 3 independent members of Governing Council
• 3 independent members by invitation of Governing Council (co-optees)
• Vice-Chancellor
• 2 members of staff 
• President of the Union of Students (supported by Union of Students staff as necessary)

2. Attendance and Clerking Arrangements

• Senior managers in attendance, nominated by the Vice-Chancellor, subject to agreement by the Chair
• University Secretary and Registrar (Clerk to the Governing Council)

3. Quorum

Quorum at all meetings is three members with a majority being independent.

4. Meetings

The Skills Committee will normally meet at least four times each year. Members and attendees may attend in person or by video or telephone link subject to prior approval of the Chair.

5. Framework

The Committee adheres to the University reporting classifications:

• Approve – where the Committee has authority or requirement for approval;
• Ratify – confirmation of a decision/recommendation delegated by the Board to a lower level Committee;
• Recommend – where the Committee has responsibility to consider the detail and make recommendation to the higher level body;
• Consider – where the Committee is being asked to give feedback/suggestion;
• Note – where no action is required other than the Committee’s oversight/knowledge.

In addition, the Committee:

• Reviews – where the Committee commissions a report on a specific matter that it considers falls within its mandate as defined by schedule of delegation or which have been specifically authorised by GC; 
• Monitors – where the Committee keeps an evolving or ongoing matter under review prior to taking further action;
• Advises – where the Committee of its own volition wishes to draw the attention of another body of the University to a particular matter.

The Committee is expected to seek assurance on the:

6. University’s Skills Framework

• Review the scope and effectiveness of the University’s Skills Framework. The consideration should take into account the University’s overall Framework, particularly in relation to the concept of University for Industry, and the Institutional Success Measures (ISMs) that directly relate to skills.
• Review the University’s plans as they relate to its Skills Framework and partnerships with external organisations, to create the appropriate breadth and depth of skills provision, reviewing plans and their implementation to create a market for skills.
• Receive reports on the volume of apprenticeships, and financial return with respect to contracts with third parties.

7. Arrangements in relation to the regulatory and quality assurance environment 

• Assure the arrangements in place for safeguarding, continuous improvement of skills provision, including Ofqual / Ofsted regulated further and higher skills education and apprenticeships. 
• Scrutinising sub-contracted provision, monitoring activities and making recommendations to inform future approaches.

8. Impact of Skills Framework implementation on students

Assure that the implementation of the relevant interventions and metrics, including but not limited to the Skills Framework, results in positive experiences and outcomes for students. This includes reviewing graduate performance and outcome data, Individualised Learner Record (ILR) data, the equality, diversity and inclusion implications of implementation, and understanding the student experience of skills acquisition. 

9. Arrangements with employers 

Assure the plans and implementation of employer partnerships is aligned with the ambition to be a University for Industry and that these meet the needs of employers, students and the region.

10. Future opportunities

• Challenge prospective opportunities, with flexibility to convene an extraordinary meeting should opportunities present themselves which require agile consideration and/or review;
• Challenge and review the University’s Skills Framework and other relevant opportunities as they relate to overseas and home partnerships.

Approved by Governing Council: 4 July 2024