Skillstories

New Commission puts employer voice at heart of skills policy

A new Commission which will put employers at the centre of employment and skills policy development across the UK opens for business today. The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) will supersede two Government-funded agencies - the Sector Skills Development Agency and the National Employment Panel - which closed on 31 March. These two pioneer organisations have laid the foundations for working with employers to create a better skilled and more effective workforce.
Ministers paid tribute to their excellent work in providing the platform on which the UK Commission can build.

As a single employer-led board, the new UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) will provide direct and independent advice to Ministers at the highest levels across the UK. They will develop an independent view of how successful and well integrated our employment and skills systems are in meeting the competitive challenges faced by business, and in supporting changing employment trends.

Everyone must be given the chance to upgrade their skills

Everyone must be given the chance to upgrade their skills, says Tony Watts

Tuesday March 25, 2008
The Guardian

A year ago, the Leitch report on skills recommended setting up a new careers service for adults. The service, to be “universal”, was viewed as a key means of encouraging individuals at all skill levels to raise their aspirations and invest in their skills development. The government has accepted the recommendation; the policy framework for the new service is being developed.

Adult Learners’ Week a great resource

As an employer, a union learning representative or workplace learning champion, Adult Learners’ Week gives you the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of other people in your workplace whilst helping to reach your own business objectives.

Soldier turned author Chris Ryan drops in to Boots depot with new book

Renowned ex-SAS author Chris Ryan launched his new book One Good Turn today (Thursday 6 March) at a World Book Day event at Boots Distribution Centre in Rotherhithe. The event was organised by unionlearn (the TUC’s learning and skills organisation). Chris spoke about his experiences to local workers who are also members of the shop workers’ trade union USDAW. Chris Ryan was joined by unionlearn Director Liz Smith, Boots Support Supervisor, Yvonne Kelly, and union learning rep, Sharon Pearcey .

The distribution centre has a well-equipped learning facility that is running a wide range of courses for the workforce. Chris Ryan opened a new staff reading room in the centre. Boots workers heard Chris read from his new book and signed copies for them. The book is in the Quick Reads series, which is aimed at those who are returning to reading, or who just want a short fast-paced read.

Unionlearn needs your help…

Unionlearn is updating a publication for the LSC called ‘Working Together: nextstep and trade unions’.

Do you have good examples you would like to share of working with nextstep? Send them in to us and tell us what was good about it.

We are also going to include top tips for IAG agencies who want to work with unions. What are your tips?

Please let us know by the end of March.

Email l.haughton@ntlworld.com or sally.hughes.info@btinternet.com

Quick Reads - easy to pick up hard to put down

Quick reads – the short, fast-paced, exciting books by bestselling writers and personalities - are back.

Ten new Quick Reads titles are being published on World Book Day, 6 March 2008. This year sees a stellar line up, which offers something for all tastes.

In this new list, brand-new novels come from bestselling female fiction authors Josephine Cox and Adele Parks; decorated ex-SAS man and number one bestseller Chris Ryan provides an action thriller and, following the success of previous Quick Reads Doctor Who titles, original Doctor Who author Terrance Dicks brings us a new episode.

Non-fiction titles include a second instalment of advice on success from Big Issue founder John Bird; a heart-warming East End childhood memoir from Gilda O’Neill and a special version of Gordon Ramsay’s entertaining biography, Humble Pie.  Two world-class sportsmen - the British Olympic medalist Colin Jackson and Welsh rugby player Scott Quinnell have written autobiographical accounts of their lives and careers. Vanessa Feltz edits and introduces a gripping collection of real life stories from people around the UK who have transformed difficulty into triumph.

Quick Reads are ideal for people wanting a short, fast read and also for people who find reading difficult or dull.  They aim to make reading fun and to encourage everyone to pick up a book on World Book Day.

The ten books cost just £1.99 each and form part of the second National Year of Reading.

British businesses back Brown’s call for more Apprenticeships

Leading employers have today committed to adding over 4,000 apprenticeship places. The announcement came as a kick-start to Apprenticeships Week and was welcomed by Skills Secretary John Denham.

Vodafone have committed to 2000 apprenticeship starts in 2008-09, Superdrug to 1,000, Sainsbury’s to 400, Barchester Healthcare to 350 and Veolia to 250. These are all substantial increases on current numbers, while Phones4u have just set up their new programme for more than 200 by the end of this year.

Last call for entries - BITC Skills for Life Award 2008

Time is now running out to enter - the closing date is 29th February…

The award is part of Business in the Community’s Awards for Excellence. Launched in 1997, the awards are now in their 11th year and are established as the UK’s most prestigious recognition for responsible business practice.

The 2008 Skills for Life Award, sponsored by Norfolk County Services, winners of last years Skills for Life Award, recognises companies that integrate essential skills training into their core operations.
Entrants must demonstrate commitment to equipping employees with the skills to do their jobs well and safely and the means to become active and enterprising members of their communities.

For more information, go to the bitc.org.uk/skills

Take part in an important online survey & win £100 Amazon vouchers

Workplace Basic Skills Impact Evaluation Toolkit Project (WoLLNET)

Why complete the survey? Formal evaluation of the impact of workplace basic skills training on organisational performance and the bottom-line is rarely carried out. This means that employers lack the information they need to target investment and resources in basic skills development.

In response to this, the WoLLNET project aims to develop a web-based, user-friendly Toolkit to enable employers, training providers and unions to systematically evaluate the impact of workplace basic skills training programmes (see below for more information).

This survey will play an important role in the development of the Toolkit. Your responses will help us to build a clear picture of your experiences and views in this area, and will help to make sure that the final Toolkit meets your needs.The survey will be available until Friday 22nd February.

RaW short story competition - last chance to enter

The closing date for the RaW short story writing competition is fast approaching - entries must be in by Thursday 31st January 2008. The competition is designed to attract adult learners who would like to improve their writing skills and is ideally suited to family learning - as the story must be a children’s story.