UK Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) are seen as critical to policymakers' aspirations to develop an education and training (E&T) system that is both "demand-driven" and "employer-led" and where employers "play their part" in national upskilling. However, the concept of employer leadership remains deeply problematic in the English context, with some commentators arguing that the system is better viewed as government/target-led. More recently, the Leitch Review of Skills has offered employers a new training contract or "something for something deal". If this deal is to succeed, much will depend upon the ability of SSCs to engage employers in their sectors and build commitment to the Leitch agenda. The article outlines previous attempts to develop effective sectoral bodies in the UK and asks why this has proven so problematic. Drawing upon interviews with representatives of seven SSCs, it then explores SSC employer engagement strategies together with the main challenges they confront. (Contains 1 table and 10 notes.)