Skillstories

Lord Young announces deal to up-skill workers in housing and fashion

A new three-year agreement between the Government and employers will deliver more skilled workers to do the jobs of the future in housing, facilities management, fashion and textiles, Skills Minister Lord Young announced today.

Outgoing Skills Minister David Lammy insists Leitch targets will be hit

Outgoing skills minister David Lammy has insisted that he leaves with the UK on course to hit the ambitious skills targets set out in the Leitch review. Lammy was promoted to become minister for higher education and intellectual property in last week’s cabinet reshuffle. He will be replaced by former trade union chief Lord Tony Young of Norwood Green.

Scottish employers ponder whether employees should be allowed time off to train

Employers, trade unions and individuals in Scotland are being asked for their views on whether employees should be given the right to request time off to train. Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Fiona Hyslop today launched a targeted consultation on whether employees in Scotland should be given this new right.

Train to Gain celebrates two years of success

Home improvement retailer B&Q has become the 100,000th company to sign up to Train to Gain, as the flagship service marks its second year of helping to boost the nation’s skills. 

Quality of ESOL provision improving says Ofsted

The quality of English-language teaching for migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers is improving, according to a new report by the education watchdog Ofsted. However, it warns that a lot more needs to be done to ensure standards are lifted beyond “satisfactory” levels, and makes a series of recommendations to protect and enhance services.

Lammy faces MPs concerns over skills programme

David Lammy, the new higher education minister, has defended the controversial Train to Gain scheme against charges that it’s merely handing out qualifications to people for skills they already have.

Giving evidence to the Commons’ innovation, universities and skills committee in his former guise as skills minister, Lammy said the government was making progress in raising the skills level of workers in the UK, but there was still more to do.

Ministerial Changes at DIUS

Following the government reshuffle, there have been a number of ministerial changes within DIUS.

Gene link to poor reading skills

A common genetic variant may be partly to blame for poor reading ability, research suggests.

Another UK Team achieves gold - 8 gold medals won at EuroSkills 2008

Only a month ago the country was celebrating the success of Team GB in Beijing, but now another UK team has picked up medals in an international competition.  A team of 16 young people achieved eight gold medals at the first ever EuroSkills, a three day competition in skills ranging from farriery to cleaning.

Graduates ‘short on skills’

Business leaders have criticised the quality of university graduates, complaining they lack basic organisational skills.