Personal information charter
Skills England's personal information charter (or privacy policy) tells you how and why we use your personal information and your rights and responsibilities.
About this notice
This notice should be read alongside the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Personal Information Charter.
The DWP Personal Information Charter explains how DWP collects, uses, stores, shares and protects personal information, and describes your rights under UK data protection law.
Skills England is an executive agency of the Department for Work and Pensions. DWP is the data controller for personal information processed by Skills England as part of its statutory and operational functions.
This supplementary notice provides additional information about personal information processed specifically for Skills England activities.
Lawful basis for processing
Skills England processes personal information under Article 6(1)(e) UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), where processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in DWP. Where special category data is processed, the relevant conditions under Article 9 UK GDPR and Schedule 1 of the Data Protection Act 2018 apply.
Who we process information about
Skills England may process personal information relating to:
- employers and employer representatives
- training providers
- awarding organisations
- learners and students
- apprenticeship assessment organisations
- members of Skills England networks, panels and advisory groups
- researchers and research participants
- stakeholders who engage with Skills England
- people who contact Skills England with enquiries, feedback or consultation responses
These categories are in addition to those described within the DWP Personal Information Charter.
What we use personal information for
In addition to the purposes described in the DWP Personal Information Charter, Skills England may process personal information to:
- support policy relating to adult skills
- develop, maintain and support apprenticeships and related technical qualification products
- develop and maintain occupational standards
- approve and review related assessment arrangements
- approve groups of persons and organisations involved in apprenticeship and technical qualification delivery
- support independent quality assurance arrangements
- collect views, evidence and expertise to support Skills England’s functions
- undertake skills planning and skills needs assessments
- support workforce development activity
- identify and respond to labour market challenges
- support government priorities relating to skills, training and employment
- carry out research, analysis and evaluation connected to these functions
Types of information we may process
Depending on the service or activity involved, Skills England may process:
- personal details such as name, organisation and contact information
- employment and professional information
- education, skills and training information
- qualifications and apprenticeship information
- consultation and survey responses
- stakeholder engagement records
- event registration and attendance information
- correspondence and communications
Where necessary and lawful, Skills England may also process special category personal information as described in the DWP Personal Information Charter.
Who we may share information with
In addition to the organisations listed within the DWP Personal Information Charter, Skills England may share information, where lawful and necessary, with:
- other government departments
- local authorities, strategic authorities and combined authorities
- employers and employer representative bodies
- training and education providers
- awarding organisations
- apprenticeship assessment organisations
- academic and research institutions
- organisations providing quality assurance services
- contractors supporting Skills England functions
We may share information where necessary to:
- support apprenticeship and technical qualification development
- support occupational standards development
- undertake skills planning and labour market analysis
- carry out quality assurance activities
- develop evidence and research relating to skills and workforce needs
- support national, regional and local skills priorities
Any sharing will take place only where there is a clear legal basis and appropriate safeguards are in place.
Data sharing with the Department for Education
Skills England works closely with the Department for Education (DfE).
DWP and Skills England may share and receive information from DfE for purposes connected with:
- technical education
- vocational education
- skills development
- workforce planning
- labour market progression analysis
- research and policy development
Information sharing will only take place where permitted by law and where appropriate safeguards are in place.
Skills England Expert Network
Skills England operates expert networks and advisory groups to support its work.
Where you participate in the Skills England Expert Network, we may process information such as:
- your name
- organisation
- professional role
- areas of expertise
- contact details
- records of participation and contributions
We use this information to administer membership, organise meetings and events, obtain expert views and support Skills England’s functions.
How long we keep Expert Network information
Personal information relating to Skills England Expert Network members is retained for the duration of membership plus 18 months after membership ends.
Research and analysis
Skills England undertakes research, analysis and statistical work to understand skills needs, workforce trends and labour market developments.
Where possible, published outputs are anonymised or aggregated so that individuals cannot be identified.
Personal information used for research purposes is handled in accordance with UK data protection legislation and the DWP Personal Information Charter.