This project is co-financed by the LSC, SEEDA and the European Social Fund
NATIONAL & REGIONAL
NEWS
GENERAL & POLICY
Education Bill
The Education and Inspections Bill 2006 was published on February 28
detailing the changes to law that are needed to bring in the Government’s
proposed school reforms. The Bill includes increased rights for teachers
to discipline unruly pupils, an obligation to provide better school meals
and the creation of the vocational Diploma. Among the more controversial
changes are the creation of Trust schools and the changed role of local
authorities. To read more about what the Bill says, and a summary of
reactions to the Bill and analysis of the changes see the website.
For the whole bill, click
here.
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill
The safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill was published on March 1, 2006.
The Bill extends sanctions to a wider range of employers, including those
running internet chat rooms for example, if they employ people who they
know are barred to work with children and vulnerable adults. For a short
summary see website. For the whole bill, click
here.
Nextstep Contracts Roll-over
A statement has been issued by National Office concerning Nextsteps Contracts
The statement was in response to concerns amongst contractors about the
impact of the Ufi/learndirect Telephone Guidance Trial on the provision
of future Nextstep contracts.
The announcement states that subject to local negotiation and satisfactory
performance, Nextstep contracts are being rolled over for a further year
until July 2007.
Extension to EMA
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA), until now only available to young
people in Further Education, will be payable from 10 April to those starting
an LSC-funded Entry-to-Employment (E2E) programme or a course which leads
to an Apprenticeship. The extension will benefit up to 65,000 more young
people, many of whom will see a considerable rise in their household
income, removing the financial barriers that often stop people from continuing
in learning. Click
here for more information
Source: www.lsc.gov.uk 01/03/06
Sector
Skills Council IAG Project
A project being run by the Sector Skills Council is bringing IAG to the
forefront of sector activity. The SSC IAG project links directly into
the Government review of IAG, reporting in September. It will provide
the Skills for Business Network with an opportunity to position Sector
Skills Councils to help fill skills shortages and provide sectoral IAG
services that offer careers opportunities across their respective industries.
Bringing Industry and IAG services together – for an explanation
of the project in more detail please see the ‘Spotlight
On..’ feature.
Source: Interview
Consultation
on Construction
A new consultation that aims to provide the Government with a framework
to guide future progress in the construction industry was launched last
month by the Rt. Hon Alun Michael, Minister of State for Industry and
the Regions. The consultation on the draft Strategy for Sustainable Construction
Report 2006 will seek views from key construction stakeholders on the
direction they think the industry should take with a view to developing
and maintaining a more sustainable future.
The review will look at aspects such as:
building
design and the code for sustainable
homes;
new
construction methods and best practice;
improved
embedded energy systems;
waste
minimisation;
enhancement
of biodiversity; and
greater
efficiency in carbon emissions and
thorough assessment of the impact of
climate change.
For more on construction,
see Industry
Focus.
Source: DTI
Refugee Website Launches
Children’s Page
A website for those
working with refugees has pages dedicated
to helping those working with adults and
children. The children’s pages offer
advice and case studies from Early Years
through to 16-19. The National Refugee
Integration Forum (NRIF) also offers advice
on employment and training for refugees.
Visit www.nrif.org.uk
According to recent
government statistics, black pupils achieved
the most improved results of any ethnic
group in last year's GCSEs. The proportion
of Black Caribbean and African pupils achieving
good GCSE results rose by 6 percentage
points to 45% from 39%. The results of
Pakistani, Indian, and Bangladeshi pupils
also rose. The highest achievers at GCSE
level are Chinese pupils, 81% of whom achieved
5 good GCSE grades last year.
Source:The Independent 2/03/06
English Students applying
to Scottish Universities
Recent figures from
UCAS show an increase in students from
England applying to Scottish universities
to avoid fees in September 2006. Whilst
applications to Scottish institutions rose
by1.6%, the total number of applicants
to universities and colleges in England
is down by 3.7%. The number of resident
Scots applying to universities in Scotland
is down by 1.9%, so it appears that an
increasing number of cross-border applications
are being made. In addition, English applicants
applying to English universities and colleges
fell by 4.5% to 270,872 and the number
of Scots applying to English institutions
also fell by 3.5% to 4,376.
Source:The Independent 17/02/06
Drop in Applications
Recent figures from
UCAS indicate a drop in applications, particularly
in courses viewed as non- vocational. History
courses are down 7.8%, Art History and
History of Religion show a fall of 10.1%.
Philosophy is down 3.9% and Fine Art degree
applications have fallen 11.4% from last
year.
Source: FT 16/02/06
Cogent
Diploma
The Engineering Sector
Skills Council Cogent has launched a new
website - www.engineeringdiploma.com -
to provide information on the development
of a Diploma designed to be key in preparing
the future generation of British engineers.
Cogent is working in partnership with other
SSCs and employers to develop the new qualification.
Diplomas, introduced recently, are new
qualifications for 14-19 year olds that
will provide a broad programme of applied
and other learning, underpinned by essential
skills.
Source: Involve issue 117: 31/01/06
Tailored Apprenticeship
Skillfast-UK, the Sector
Skills Council for the clothing industry,
has developed a Bespoke Tailoring Apprenticeship
Programme. The Apprenticeship has been
introduced following the realization that
there was no training course available
to meet the training needs of bespoke tailors.
A group of Savile Row tailors and Newham
College have collaborated to develop the
4 year programme. Students must study the
basics of tailoring at Newham College,
a Centre of Vocational Excellence for Textiles
Manufacturing and Design, before they are
employed by a master tailor to complete
their advanced apprenticeship.
Source: Involve issue 117: 31/01/06
Food and Drink Manufacturing
Apprenticeship
Pupils as young as
14 may sign up for the first Apprenticeship
in Food and Drink Manufacturing, the equivalent
of four good GCSEs. Improve, the food and
drink SSC, has developed a two-year programme,
which will allow students to spend 2 days
each week combining study at a local college
and work experience with local employers.
The other 3 days a week will be spent at
school, studying the national curriculum
in subjects such as English, Maths and
Information and Communication Technology.
Source: (Involve issue 121: 28/02/06)
Careers Education came under the spotlight when a report by the Women
and Work Commission found that women in full-time work were earning 17%
less than men. The group suggested numerous changes including more government
support and improved vocational training. It did not, however, recommend
compulsory pay reviews.
A commission member from the CBI stated that women were paid less because
the UK's education system "completely fails" to highlight to
schoolgirls that their choices will affect later earnings. The Association
of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) maintained that the issue was a far wider
one than the career advice girls received. "Right the way through
employment - from manual work to the City - women are not getting the
support they need …society as a whole needs to provide girls with
more, strong female role models."
The Prime Minister hailed the report as a "ground-breaking piece
of work", and responded by appointing Minister for Women Tessa Jowell
as a Cabinet "champion" to produce an action plan.
Source: BBC News Online
The IT job market increased in size by 6.8% during 2005. The year ended
with a sting in the tail, however, with a decrease in demand for IT staff
falling by 1% in the last quarter. According to CWJobs.co.uk, the trend
is picking up in the beginning of 2006. Nearly one third of IT jobs advertised
are for software developers – the benchmark job function. Network
professionals saw the highest demand with an 11.3% rise in demand contrasting
with a fall of 5.9% for support personnel.
Graduates in Demand
A rise is expected
this year in the number of graduate jobs
available and the average starting salary.
The accountancy sector is predicted to
recruit the largest number of graduates,
with vacancies overall rising by 11%. Average
starting salaries are expected to rise
by 3% to £23,000.
Source: BBC News Online 1st March
Fitness
Industry tops Wage List
A study conducted on behalf of City and Guilds has indicated that Fitness
Instructors who are at the top of their profession will be the best paid
vocational workers of the future. The research anticipates that due to
increased disposable income, managers within the fitness industry will
top the lucrativitiy league by 2020 with an average senior salary of £79,889.
This is £27,000 more than the predicted average for skilled professions
of £52,576.
Source: The News, Business Week, January 17th
Traditional
Craftspeople Shortage in the South East
The National Heritage
Training Group (NTHG) have reported that
there is a severe lack of traditional craftspeople
such as stonemasons, wattle and daub workers,
wood gilders and slate and tile roofers
in the South East. NHTG believe that at
least another 700 skilled builders need
to be recruited within the next year to
avert putting the buildings at risk, and
that 17% of contractors have worker vacancies.
The picture is the same nationally, with
traditional building methods declining.
Currently there are only 272 full-time
dry stone wallers and a 100 thatchers.
More details about traditional industries
can be gained from the National Trust website www.nationaltrust.org.uk.
For more details click
here.
Sources: The Star, 2nd February 2006
Lloyds TSB Corporate’s
latest Business in Britain survey reveals
that business confidence in the South East
has rocketed despite 2005’s slump
in sales.
Although many South
East firms have struggled in the last 12
months, most expect to boost turnover,
order levels and profitability in the first
half of 2006.
Bill Pike, relationship
director for Lloyds TSB Corporate in the
South East, said: "Many companies
in the South East had a very painful time
in 2005 and it is not hard to see why.
The suppression of UK consumer spending
and rocketing oil prices served to make
the business environment a very challenging
place to be, especially for mid-sized firms.
"However, it is
encouraging to see that companies are considerably
more optimistic about their business prospects
in 2006 and are about to invest more as
a result. This could be a sign that economic
growth in the South East will accelerate
next year."
Source: Kentonline 27/02/06
National Statistics New
Release: Vocational Qualifications in the
UK: 2004/05
The Office for National
Statistics released its New Release: Vocational
Qualifications in the UK, 2004/5 on 23rd
February 2006. The statistics provide an
overview of vocational qualifications gained
throughout the period by Sector, by Level
and by Year. For more information follow
the link: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000638/SFR07-2006FINAL.pdf
Youth Cohort Studies
The Youth Cohort Studies
are available from the DfES website. There
are two studies – one that details
the activities and experiences of 17 year
olds, and the other that focuses on the
same for 19 year olds.
Parents Earning less
than 30k Struggle to Support Offspring
in Post-16 Education
Parents earning less
than £30,000 find it difficult to
support teenagers to remain in education
beyond the age of 16. A report by the Learning
and Skills Council, based on a sample of
2029 people interviewed online, shows that
over 40% of parents with a household income
of below £30,000 experienced difficulty
in providing what was necessary. Education
Maintenance Allowances provide young people
from low income families between £10
to £30 per week.
Source: BBC Online (1.03.06)
