It survived the 2010 Cabinet Office Review of Public Bodies, also known as the bonfire of the quangos, and was given the green light on 24 February 2011 to continue as a NDPB.

Throughout 2016 UKCES worked alongside government departments, its appointed Commissioners, stakeholders, and Nation representatives to either complete, wind down or migrate its functions.

The following UKCES areas of work have continued and have been / are currently being migrated elsewhere within Government: The UK Commission for Employment and Skills also used to own Investors in People.

In its last few years UKCES was chaired by Sir Charlie Mayfield, Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership.

It was led by 30 Commissioners, comprising business people, trade unionists and education, employment and skills experts.