Health and Social Care Sector Skills Collective
A forum for insight, collaboration and action
The health and social care sector faces significant workforce challenges, from recruitment and retention pressures to changing skills needs and evolving models of care.
To help address these challenges, we have established the Health and Social Care Skills Collective, bringing together strategic workforce leaders, employers, educators, people drawing on services, union representatives and sector organisations.
The Collective provides a space for meaningful discussion, shared expertise, and practical action. Together, participants explore how education, qualifications and workforce development can support a resilient, skilled, and sustainable workforce for the future.
The insights generated through these discussions inform a growing programme of thought leadership, research and sector commentary, helping to shape debate, influence workforce thinking and support positive change across health and social care.
Explore our latest sector insights
Read the Collective paper
We need to move beyond a short-term focus on workforce shortages and towards a sustainable workforce ecosystem.
Our focus: health and social care workforce priorities
The Collective examines the issues that matter most to the future of health and social care, including:
- workforce sustainability and retention
- career pathways and progression
- professional recognition
- skills development and lifelong learning
- leadership and workplace culture
- future workforce needs and emerging roles
- the role of education and training in supporting sector change
- integrated approaches across health and social care.
As the sector continues to evolve, the Collective provides a platform for discussion and practical recommendations that support long-term health and social care workforce success.
Health and social care workforce insights
From recruitment to workforce sustainability: building the health and social care workforce
Our inaugural Skills Collective paper explores how the health and social care sector can move beyond workforce shortages and take a longer-term approach to workforce development.
Drawing on discussions with leaders and stakeholders across health and social care, the paper explores how career pathways, professional development, leadership and workforce recognition can strengthen the sector.
What happens when the sector comes together to tackle workforce challenges?
By Claire Montague and Joe Neame
In this article by Claire Montague (Sector Manager for Social Care, NCFE) and Joe Neame (Senior Sector Manager for Health and Science, NCFE), who explore what can happen when the sector collaborates to work together and tackle health and social care workforce challenges.
Social care workforce report: retention and progression
What does the future workforce need to thrive?
Our recent social care workforce report explores the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector – from recruitment and retention pressures to professional development, workforce recognition and career progression. Drawing on insights from more than 100 current and former care workers, it highlights what must change to build a stronger, more sustainable workforce.
Building the future workforce is not simply an education challenge. It is a shared responsibility.
Why NCFE supports health and social care workforce development
We already support workforce development through market leading health and social care qualifications, continuous professional development, and sector partnerships.
From supporting the implementation of the Care Workforce Pathway to developing qualifications that help learners enter and progress within the workforce, NCFE works closely with employers, sector bodies, and policymakers to help ensure education and training continue to meet the sector's evolving needs.
The Health and Social Care Skills Collective builds on this work.
It creates a space for sector voices to share expertise and explore how technical and vocational education can support workforce sustainability, progression, and transformation.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
The Health and Social Care Skills Collective brings together workforce leaders, employers, educators, sector organisations, and people drawing on services to discuss key workforce challenges and opportunities. Through collaboration and shared expertise, the Collective helps inform research, thought leadership and practical recommendations that support the future of the health and social care workforce.
The health and social care workforce face a range of interconnected challenges, including workforce shortages, recruitment and retention pressures, changing models of care, and evolving skills needs. Sector leaders have also highlighted the importance of creating clearer career pathways, supporting workforce development, and improving workforce sustainability over the long term. For a deeper exploration of these challenges and potential solutions, read our Skills Collective paper.
Alongside technical and professional knowledge, the future workforce will require skills such as communication, teamwork, resilience, adaptability, professional judgement, and leadership. As roles and technologies continue to evolve, lifelong learning, and the ability to develop new skills throughout a career will become increasingly important. Read the paper to learn more about the future capabilities identified by the Skills Collective.
Improving retention requires a long-term approach that goes beyond recruitment alone. The Skills Collective highlighted the importance of career progression, professional development, leadership, mentoring, workplace culture, and opportunities for lifelong learning. Employers also have a key role to play in helping staff build fulfilling and sustainable careers. Discover the paper's full insights and recommendations.
The Care Workforce Pathway is the first universal career framework for adult social care. Developed with the sector, it helps make career progression clearer by setting out the knowledge, skills and development opportunities associated with different roles. Explore our Care Workforce Pathway to learn more about progression routes and workforce development opportunities.
Qualifications can provide valuable routes into health and social care careers while supporting progression, lifelong learning, and professional development. When connected to clear career pathways, workplace learning and progression opportunities, qualifications can help individuals develop the knowledge and skills needed throughout their careers. Explore our health and social care qualifications to learn more about the opportunities available.