Thursday, 28 July 2011: Edition 39
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In this issue: |
50,000 apprenticeships target easily exceeded |
The Government’s ambition to deliver 50,000 additional Apprenticeships has been substantially exceeded, official statistics show. The Government has actually delivered over 103,000 additional adult Apprenticeship starts over the 2010-11 financial year. Provisional data shows that a total of 257,000 adult Apprenticeship starts have been delivered between April 2010 and March 2011. Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "The growth in Apprenticeships to over double the planned ambition, including sectors such as IT, advanced manufacturing and engineering demonstrates our commitment to delivering the skills businesses need to grow and young people need to build productive careers.” "We're determined to do more to boost growth, rebalance the economy, extend opportunity and break down barriers between academic and vocational learning. Our planned investment will deliver some 360,000 Apprenticeships this year alone, and we'll continue to work with the business community to make it easier for more employers of all sizes to take on an Apprentice and reap the benefits they bring. With every £1 of Government money delivering a return of some £40 to the wider economy, this is a sound investment in the country's future." The complete Statistical First Release is here. The winners of the National Apprenticeship Awards 2011 were revealed at the Mermaid Theatre in London on Thursday 29 June 2011. Find out who won at the Awards as well as those who were highly commended here. |
Growth review looks at education and skills |
Education and skills will be one of the main themes of the next stage of the growth review, the Government has announced, as it continues its focus on restoring the economy’s health. See press release. Building on the radical programme of reforms set out in the first Plan for Growth, published at the Budget, the review will look across the whole of the education system from schools, FE colleges, universities and training providers to consider how to maximise economic growth. The other areas for review are: the rural economy; medium sized businesses; logistics, infrastructure and open data. |
New vision for careers guidance |
John Hayes set out further detail on plans for careers guidance at the International Centre for Guidance Studies (iCeGS) 13th annual lecture at the University of Derby on June 16. He provided a video address for delegates (view here) which outlined in detail the Government’s policy to create a new National Careers Service and reshape careers guidance. |
Putting students at the heart of higher education |
Putting students at the heart of England's higher education system is the ambition of the Government’s reforms announced in a White Paper. In future, graduates will pay more towards the cost of their degrees, but – in return – the Government's proposals will improve their experience as students, expand their choices and make universities more accountable to students than ever before. The proposals contained in Students at the Heart of the System cover four broad areas: reforming funding; delivering a better student experience; enabling universities to increase social mobility; and reducing regulation and removing barriers for new providers. Read more. |
VQ entrepreneurs set to soar |
Vocational education is nurturing Britain’s next top entrepreneurs. Research shows more than 335,000 who are aged 25-35 years old with a vocational qualification level 2/3 plan to start their own business in the next five years. The research, released for VQ Day on 22 June by independent education foundation Edge, reveals many of this ambitious groupbelieve they have a business idea worthy of Dragon's Den - 19 per cent say their concept is original or fills a gap in the current market. Now in its fourth year, VQ Day has become a familiar national celebration of vocational qualifications for students, teachers and employers and recognises the talented and skilled people of the UK. This year’s celebration event was attended by Lord Baker and John Hayes. More here. |
College hosts WorldSkills Team UK selection events |
North Warwickshire & Hinckley College was thrilled to host a number of Team UK Selection events for World Skills London 2011 including Jewellery, Mobile Robotics, Landscape Gardening, Confectionery and Graphic Design. The College has a strong and embedded corporate competitions strategy, with students at all levels participating in skills competitions, coached by staff - and staff themselves taking part in a range of competitions and professional awards. This event provided a fantastic opportunity for all members of the College community to see some of the UK’s most talented young people demonstrating their chosen skill. As ambassadors for WorldSkills, the College invited hundreds of visitors from local communities and across the country to experience the excitement and impact of the competitions, including Skills Minister John Hayes and Lord Baker. Representatives of employer partners, other colleges, local schools, community groups and the media also attended. “Although it is now over, the inspirational impact of the Team UK selection event continues to be felt among the College community and beyond,” said Marion Plant, College Principal. “College management and staff continue to embed a proactive competitions strategy into teaching and learning practice to raise both individual and organisational ambition and performance. We are very much looking forward to cheering on Team UK in October at WorldSkills London 2011. See more. |
Students see inside manufacturing |
As part of the See Inside Manufacturing programme, the Government and industry are calling on the budding young engineers of tomorrow to see how they can play a role in designing, developing or producing some of the world’s most desired and ground-breaking products. The automotive sector is spearheading the campaign this year inviting pupils, teachers and careers advisers to see first hand some of the UK’s world-class automotive and motorsport facilities and research centres. They will be able to talk to Apprentices and learn more about modern high-value manufacturing and the wide range of rewarding jobs in this exciting and diverse sector. Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “The UK has one of the most diverse auto sectors in the world. It is vital for us to enthuse the next generation about the opportunities these industries have for them. Opportunities to visit are on the Automotive Council website. |
Widening opportunities for family learning |
The Family Learning Impact Funding (FLIF) programme has been a joint venture between the Department for Education and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills between 2008 - 2011. FLIF has engaged over 26,000 families including 21,500 children in the first two years of the programme. It has helped families at risk cope better with health and housing and manage their money more effectively, as well as giving them the confidence to access and benefit from parenting programmes. Find out more about what FLIF achieved. |
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John Hayes outlines his vision for FE
John Hayes recently shared his thoughts on the future direction of further education after opening a new building for Warwickshire College in Rugby.
“I am wholeheartedly committed to working with colleges like Warwickshire to build a world class Further Education sector and to keep vocational training, including Apprenticeships, at the centre of our drive to build a stronger economy and fairer society," he said while opening the new state of the art facility.
Later he went on to speak in more detail about the future of FE.
"I want a new future for FE that is characterised by innovation, vocational excellence and a renewed sense of enthusiasm for and pride in skills,” he said, "encouraging businesses and skill providers must be closer than ever and urging the FE sector to be more open to the views of learners and employers about better training."
FE and skills should compete for Queen Awards for Enterprise
More FE and Skills organisations are being encouraged to enter the UK’s most prestigious business awards, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise.
There are three categories: innovation, international trade and sustainable development. It is free to enter and applications are now open, closing on 31st October 2011. There is also an award for individuals – the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion – people are free to nominate others who they believe are worthy of recognition for promoting enterprise.
All winners can display the Award emblem for five years and will meet Her Majesty The Queen at a reception at Buckingham Palace.
If your organisation deserves the ultimate recognition, start your application today.
WorldSkills Team UK now announced
At the National Apprenticeship Awards, Skills Minister John Hayes announced the 43 young adults selected for the UK Team who will compete in October against the best of the best from 52 other countries.
The following afternoon the team celebrated with their training managers and sponsor organisations at an event held in Buckingham Palace. Team UK will be competing in 37 skill areas ranging from hairdressing and landscape gardening to bricklaying, social care and mobile robotics with team members drawn from all four UK countries.
The Team was selected after 18 months of battling it out through shortlists, selection competitions and intensive training programmes. Over the next few months Team UK will continue their training programme aiming to beat the sixth position the previous UK Team achieved in the last competition held in Calgary in 2009.
WorldSkills London 2011 the world’s largest skills competition takes place 5-8 October at the London Excel centre when 1,000 competitors from over 50 countries will compete in different 46 skills areas.
BIS is a major sponsor for the competition, alongside private industry, because skills are a key driver of growth and all young people should have the chance to learn and to excel in their chosen skill. The Team UK and WorldSkills London 2011 preparations have been achieved through the tremendous support of FE training managers and their training providers and colleges, and private sector sponsorship. The competition will raise the profile of skills and the work of FE colleges and providers across the UK, inspiring young people to develop their skills and re-engaging those that may be in danger of dropping out.