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Training and development news
Welcome to the Training Reference UK news index. On this page you'll find this month's UK training, learning and development news together with links enabling you to browse our training news archive by month or by topic.
September 2010
02/09/10
Skills for Health publishes new skills and workforce briefings
New resources designed to help health sector employers understand and respond to the changing regional skills and labour market environment have been published by Skills for Health, the Sector Skills Council for healthcare.
01/09/10
Report explores volunteer management skills and support
According to a new report published today, nearly half of people who manage volunteers have not received any training that would help them in their work.
August 2010
31/08/10
Minister calls on businesses to promote informal learning at work
Skills Minister John Hayes has called on all UK businesses to promote informal learning at work, following pledges from sixty-four companies to increase informal workplace training for their staff.
17/08/10
Pilot project conducted for health sector 'skills passport'
A one-year pilot project has been conducted among nursing staff at seven English NHS Trusts during 2009/10 to test proof-of-concept for a 'skills passport' for the health sector.
16/08/10
Young people well prepared for work, says survey
Most young people leave education well prepared for their first job, according to a survey published by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.
13/08/10
IfL and LSIS publish guide to effective CPD
The Institute for Learning (IfL) and the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) have published a guide to effective continuing professional development (CPD) for teachers, trainers and leaders.
12/08/10
City & Guilds reveals its 20 most popular vocational courses
Vocational education organisation City & Guilds has released figures which show that electrical installation is its most popular course (97,411 certified learners) followed by social care (62,987) and hairdressing (47,506).
11/08/10
Consultation launched on right to request time to train
Further education, skills and lifelong learning minister, John Hayes has today launched a consultation on the future of the right to request time to train.
10/08/10
CMI: Half of managers misjudge their workplace performance
According to new research from CMI (Chartered Management Institute), over half of managers misjudge their strengths in the workplace.
09/08/10
Revised land-based engineering Apprenticeship frameworks launched
Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for the environmental and land-based sector, has announced that revised Apprenticeship frameworks for land-based engineering have been published and are now available to use.
05/08/10
Volvo Cars invests in digital video for dealership training
Volvo Cars is using digital video as part of its customer service, communications and management training programmes for 5,500 dealership staff in the UK and Ireland.
04/08/10
Global Knowledge UK maps training courses to SFIA initiative
Training company Global Knowledge has announced it has aligned its range of IT and business skills training courses to the The Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA).
03/08/10
Learning and Development in Broadcasting Conference 2010
Now in its third year, the Learning and Development in Broadcasting Conference 2010 takes place on 11th October at Bafta in London.
02/08/10
IT Training Awards 2011 open for entries
With categories including Trainer of the Year and Training Manager of the Year, the IT Training Awards 2011 are now open for entries
July 2010
30/07/10
Report calls for reform of UK's skills system to boost economy
According to a new report, the UK's economy currently the sixth largest in the world is set to slide down the international rankings unless its skills and employment systems are fundamentally reformed and improved.
29/07/10
IfL case studies focus on technology and CPD
The Institute for Learning (IfL) has published six case studies as part of a research project that aims to help boost teachers' and trainers' skills in using new technologies to support their professional development.
28/07/10
Balfour Beatty Apprenticeships launched In Liverpool
Details of a new apprenticeship scheme launched by Balfour Beatty were unveiled at an event in the Halewood Centre for Learning last week.
27/07/10
Helston Community College becomes 500th IMI Awards Centre
Retail motor industry awarding body IMI Awards has approved Helston Community College in Cornwall as the 500th to join the network of IMI Awards approved centres.
26/07/10
One-third of UK workers work while on holiday, says survey
Summer holidays are supposed to give busy workers time away from the office to switch off and unwind, however according to new research from the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM), over one-third work while on annual leave, while 40% return to work feeling more stressed than when they left.
23/07/10
Government launches skills consultation
Skills minister John Hayes has invited employers, individuals, colleges and training organisations to share their ideas on how they would like skills policy to be set out in the future.
22/07/10
New initiative to improve adult numeracy launched
Unionlearn, the TUC's learning and skills organisation, is teaming up with NIACE, the National Institute of Adults in Continuing Education, and the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics to prepare a joint strategy and initiative to improve adult numeracy.
21/07/10
QA launches ITIL (V3) Foundation e-Learning course
Training company QA has added to its range of e-learning programmes with the launch of a new ITIL (V3) Foundation e-Learning course.
20/07/10
New report looks at skills and the economy
Almost two thirds of employers (63 per cent) said that work-related education and training will play a vital role in the UK's economic recovery, according to a new report from vocational education organisation City & Guilds.
19/07/10
King's awarded Investors in People Gold award
King's College Hospital has become the first major acute hospital in the UK to be awarded the Investors in People (IIP) Gold Standard award.
16/07/10
2010 Apprenticeship Awards
Sellafield Ltd received a top accolade for its Apprenticeship scheme at last night's Apprenticeship Awards, organised by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS).
15/07/10
Skillset announces £300k bursary scheme
Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for creative media, has announced that its TV Freelance Fund will grant £300,000 worth of multiplatform training bursaries to TV professionals over the next year.
14/07/10
MyWorkSearch selects REDTRAY to deliver e-learning content
Online outplacement company MyWorkSearch has selected REDTRAY to deliver interactive e-learning content for the launch of its new online service.
13/07/10
Last chance to nominate top management books
UK managers, authors and publishers have just three weeks left to enter books into the inaugural Management Book of the Year competition.
12/07/10
Up to 70,000 volunteers to be recruited for the London 2012 Games
With almost two years to go until the London 2012 Games, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has announced plans to recruit up to 70,000 volunteers for the London 2012 Games.
09/07/10
Open University reaches 20 million downloads on iTunes U
With an average of over a quarter of a million downloads per week, The Open University (OU) has announced it has become the first university to hit 20 million downloaded tracks on iTunes U, a dedicated area within the iTunes Store.
08/07/10
Shortlist revealed for 2010 CIPD People Management Awards
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has announced the finalists of the 2010 CIPD People Management Awards.
07/07/10
National Stress Management Awards launched
A new award scheme that aims to recognise the UK's best organisations when it comes to beating stress in the workplace has been launched by ISMA (International Stress Management Association).
06/07/10
Yorkshire and Humber businesses praise funding intervention
A survey commissioned by the Skills Funding Agency has highlighted the impact that the regional Enhancement Fund has made on Yorkshire and Humber businesses.
05/07/10
Skillset invites animation industry to Soho showcase
Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for creative media, is holding an event this week to showcase animation work from graduates of Skillset's nine accredited animation degree courses and a number of guest courses from Skillset Academies.
02/07/10
CIPD study looks at employees' views on talent management programmes
New research from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has examined the issue of talent management from the employee perspective, with the aim of helping organisations understand how to best focus talent investment and resources.
01/07/10
Health sector apprentice numbers rise by one-third, says Skills for Health
The number of people beginning health apprenticeships in England has risen by nearly a third, according to new figures published by Skills for Health.
June 2010
30/06/10
New team building activities on offer at The Snow Centre
Indoor snowsports destination The Snow Centre is offering businesses the chance to embark on one of its new team building activities.
29/06/10
Finalists announced for Apprenticeship Awards 2010
The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) has announced the shortlist of national finalists for the Apprenticeship Awards 2010.
28/06/10
Open University becomes a certified Microsoft IT Academy
The Open University (OU) is now a certified Microsoft IT Academy, adding to its suite of IT vendor certifications.
22/06/10
Talent resourcing and retention high priority for organisations in 2010, despite diminishing budgets, says CIPD
Recruitment remains challenging this year as employers seek to balance the books while successfully resourcing talented employees. This is the main finding from this year's Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Resourcing and Talent Planning survey.
21/06/10
More than £1 million earmarked for TV training
Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for creative media, says its TV Freelance Fund (TVFF) will spend almost £1.2 million on television training in five priority areas over this financial year.
18/06/10
Minister pledges to lift restrictions on colleges
Removing the requirement for Ofsted inspections of outstanding colleges was one of the measures outlined by John Hayes MP, the new minister for further education, skills and lifelong learning, in his first major speech to the FE sector.
17/06/10
Skills For Logistics achieves Investors in People Standard
Skills for Logistics, the Sector Skills Council for the freight logistics industry, has been recognised as an Investor in People organisation after achieving the Standard on 24th May 2010.
16/06/10
Vince Cable meets apprentices at new training facility in Birmingham
Business Secretary Vince Cable has visited Birmingham Metropolitan College to meet the first students to start at its new Samsung Digital Service Academy.
15/06/10
Volunteering England launches volunteer management campaign
Volunteering England has launched a Value Volunteer Management campaign that aims to increase awareness of the value and importance of investing in volunteer management.
14/06/10
Free training workshops at ICFM annual conference
The Institute of Car Fleet Management (ICFM) is repeating the format of last year by integrating free training workshops as part of this year's annual members' national conference.
11/06/10
Ofqual accredits CMI police management qualifications
Ofqual, the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator, has accredited the Chartered Management Institute's police management qualifications programme.
10/06/10
Five top priorities for UK film training and education announced
Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for creative media, has detailed the five top training and education priorities for the UK film industry over the next three years.
09/06/10
Workforce Development Awards 2010
The National Employer Service has announced the winners of the 2010 Workforce Development Awards.
08/06/10
Worldly Leadership Summit 2010
The Leadership Trust has announced details of its Worldly Leadership Summit 2010 which will focus on 'Leading with responsibility and conviction'.
07/06/10
Deadline extended for entries to Retail Rising Stars 2010 Awards
The deadline for entries to this year's Skillsmart Retail Rising Star Awards has been extended to Friday, 11th June 2010. The awards, organised by Retail Week, comprise fourteen categories, including HR / Training Professional of the Year and Skillsmart Retail Apprentice of the Year.
04/06/10
Inspired to join forces
Capital Quality Ltd (CQL) is merging with Quality South East (QSE) to form Inspiring Business Performance Ltd (IBP), which will be responsible for delivering the Investors in People Standard across London and the South East.
02/06/10
Global Knowledge launches CCNA Xtra
Training provider Global Knowledge has launched CCNA Xtra, a selection of pre-and post-course resources available online to delegates to accompany the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification.
01/06/10
Employers and workers urged to help shape creative media industries
Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the creative industries, is asking employers and workers to take part in the 2010 Creative Media Workforce and Employer Surveys.
May 2010
27/05/10
Organisations falling short on key personnel issues, says report
New research published by Ashridge indicates that whilst 71% of managers describe a positive leadership environment within their organisations, only 41% of those surveyed believe leaders in their organisation are developed to lead change well, and just over half state that they feel leaders in their organisation have the necessary skills to lead change.
26/05/10
CMI chief exec to deliver conference opening address
Ruth Spellman, chief executive of the Chartered Management Institute, will present the opening address at the World of Learning Conference 2010.
25/05/10
UK Skills secures silver medal at Chelsea
A team of young landscape gardeners that helped create a garden designed by UK Skills have had their achievements celebrated by the judges at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show by winning a silver medal.
24/05/10
Ministerial responsibilities announced at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Business Secretary Vince Cable has outlined the responsibilities of his Ministerial team at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
21/05/10
New customer service training programme launches
The Dorset and New Forest Tourism Partnership (DNFTP) is launching a new customer service training programme.
20/05/10
IDM and LSBU launch MSc in Digital Marketing
The Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM) and London South Bank University (LSBU) have today announced the launch of a new Masters of Science degree (MSc) in Digital Marketing.
19/05/10
Companies get ready for Learning at Work Day 2010
WH Smith, Southern Water, Prudential and American Express will be among the many workplaces celebrating 'Learning at Work Day' on Thursday 20th May.
18/05/10
British Gas Green Skills Training Centre opens
The British Gas Green Skills Training Centre in South Wales was officially opened last week by Carwyn Jones, First Minister of the Welsh Assembly Government.
17/05/10
New course aims to help young people manage their money
Building society Nationwide has teamed up with the awarding body Edexcel to develop a course designed to prepare students for the challenge of managing their personal finances.
14/05/10
Bersin & Associates publishes UK training market study
Organisations in the UK cut their training and development budgets by 4% and reduced training staff by 5% last year, according to a new Bersin & Associates study: 'The UK Training and Development Factbook 2010: Benchmarks, Trends and Analysis of the UK Training Market'.
13/05/10
Survey finds increase in the number of adults in learning
According to the annual Adult Learners’ Week survey, there has been an increase in the number of adults who are in learning or who are thinking about learning in the future.
12/05/10
Free Training to support National Learning at Work Day
e-Learning company Brightwave has announced a free one-off training course to help individuals maximise their personal brand at work.
10/05/10
Call for entries to Retail Rising Stars 2010 awards
Retailers across the UK are being urged to enter the Skillsmart Retail Rising Stars Awards 2010. The awards, organised by Retail Week, comprise fourteen categories, including HR / Training Professional of the Year and Skillsmart Retail Apprentice of the Year.
07/05/10
IES adds David Clutterbuck to its coaching team
David Clutterbuck has joined the Institute for Employment Studies' (IES) team of associate coaches.
06/05/10
Cranfield to host MBA business plan of the year competition
The Bettany Centre for Entrepreneurial Performance at Cranfield School of Management has announced that it is to host the 2010 European Business Plan of the Year Competition.
05/05/10
IMI unveils new accreditation scheme for automotive managers
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has launched an accreditation scheme for managers in the retail automotive industry.
04/05/10
Video Arts launches new programme on organisational values
A new video-based learning programme from the makers of FISH! is now available in the UK from Video Arts.
April 2010
29/04/10
Skillset welcomes fashion and textiles employers
Skillset has joined forces with fashion and textiles to create one of the biggest Sector Skills Councils in the UK.
27/04/10
Joseph Wan confirmed as speaker at Oxford Summer School
Joseph Wan, chief executive of Harvey Nichols, has been confirmed as a guest speaker at this year's Oxford Summer School. The retail management course will be held at Keble College, University of Oxford on 21-27 August.
26/04/10
Chubb expands apprenticeships to include fire engineers
Chubb is expanding its award-winning engineering apprenticeship scheme to include apprenticeships for fire systems engineers, as well as security engineers.
23/04/10
OU and the Fostering Network sign partnership agreement
The Open University and the Fostering Network have signed an agreement designed to support foster carers with their professional development.
22/04/10
CIPD publishes 2010 Learning and Talent Development survey
According to a new survey from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the major change affecting learning and development in the next five years will be a greater integration between coaching, organisational development (OD) and performance management to drive organisational change.
20/04/10
New Sector Skills Council for the advertising industry
Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the creative industries, has expanded its sector footprint to include representation of the advertising industry.
19/04/10
Farnham Castle to work with Roffey Park on new programmes
Intercultural training organisation Farnham Castle has announced it is to work with Roffey Park Institute to offer programmes for intercultural awareness and leadership.
15/04/10
CIPD Annual Learning and Organisation Development Exhibition
The HRD 2010 Exhibition, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development's annual learning and development event takes place on 21-22 April 2010 at Olympia, London.
14/04/10
UK Skills to create a garden at the Chelsea Flower Show
UK Skills is to create a garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show (25th 29th May, 2010) entitled 'Growing World Class Talent: celebrating the workforce of tomorrow'.
12/04/10
Report highlights value of healthcare volunteers
Healthcare volunteers play a valuable role in their sector, going beyond an extra pair of hands' to provide unique value to patients and colleagues, says a new report published by Skills for Health.
09/04/10
Blanchard survey finds companies cautious but expecting to maintain training budgets
According to the 2010 results of The Ken Blanchard Companies annual Corporate Issues Survey, corporate leaders plan to either maintain or increase their spending on training and development, despite scepticism about the near economic future.
08/04/10
Institute offers free training course tasters
The Chartered Institute of Marketing is offering free taster sessions for its digital marketing training courses at this year’s Internet World exhibition.
07/04/10
Pass IT on campaign aims to get a million online for 2012
Individuals and organisations across the UK are being encouraged to Pass IT on to friends, family, employees and even complete strangers - joining a national race online.
06/04/10
Three Sector Skills Councils relicensed
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has announced that three further Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) have been relicensed.
01/04/10
Skills Funding Agency comes into effect
The new system for allocating government funding to further education and training in England comes into effect today, following a transition period over recent months.
March 2010
31/03/10
National Training Awards survey looks at employee motivation
According to research published by the National Training Awards, more than three in four UK workers (76%) say that when looking for a new job the most appealing feature is a competitive salary, but less than a third (32%) are motivated by money to perform well in their job.
30/03/10
ACCA and Chartered Management Institute sign MoU
ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
29/03/10
Training double celebration for Tourism South East
Tourism managers and chefs have gathered together to celebrate the finale of two training projects organised by Tourism South East.
25/03/10
New minimum wage rates and new rate for apprentices announced
The government has today confirmed that it has accepted the recommendations from the Low Pay Commission (LPC) on the new rates for the National Minimum Wage, as referred to in yesterday's Budget.
25/03/10
NCFE aims to help drivers on the road to success
Awarding body NCFE has launched a new NVQ qualification for drivers in the private hire sector.
24/03/10
Going for customer service gold
Tourism South East has launched a new customer service training initiative. Welcome Host Gold is a one-day training course and the latest addition to the Welcome to Excellence suite of customer care courses.
23/03/10
Skillset develops Creative and Digital Media Apprenticeship
Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for creative media, is launching an Advanced Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media this spring.
22/03/10
Video Arts offers online access to CIPD training clips
Video Arts is offering trainers online access to video clips from eight training DVDs produced by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
19/03/10
Ashridge launches new Masters in Management
Ashridge has launched a new Masters in Management qualification (MSc). Due to run for the first time in April 2010, the programme allows students to gain a Postgraduate Certificate then progress if they choose to a Postgraduate Diploma and then go on to a Masters.
18/03/10
National Strategic Skills Audit launched
According to the first National Strategic Skills Audit, commissioned by the government and published by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, the last decade has seen unprecedented increases in the number of people with qualifications.
17/03/10
Government announces five new National Skills Academies
The government announced today that new National Skills Academies will be developed to cover five sectors rail engineering, logistics, green building services, biotechnology and composites.
16/03/10
CIPD People Management Awards open for entries
Nominations for the 2010 Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development's (CIPD) People Management Awards are now open.
15/03/10
Becta announces winners of Next Generation Learning Awards
Becta, the government agency for technology in learning, has announced the winners of the annual Next Generation Learning Awards.
12/03/10
NEBOSH launches Certificate in the Management of Health and Well-being at Work
NEBOSH has launched a new qualification that aims to give managers the skills and know-how to promote a healthier workplace.
11/03/10
QCDA launches Functional Skills qualification
The Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA) has launched a new qualification aimed at providing young people with essential life skills to help them succeed in further education or employment.
09/03/10
Employers must utilise workforce skills more effectively, says Skills for Health report
Health sector employers must find new ways to utilise the skills of existing staff if they are to deliver greater productivity and higher quality care, according to a new report from Skills for Health.
08/03/10
Skills for Logistics relicensed
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has announced that Skills for Logistics, the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for the logistics sector, has been given a further trademark licence to operate as an SSC.
05/03/10
Insolvency Service launches new e-induction
The Insolvency Service, working with managed learning service provider Edvantage group, has launched a series of four
e-learning modules as part of its new induction programme.
04/03/10
Twelve new Beacons announced
Twelve learning and skills sector organisations including FE colleges, local adult learning providers, a work-based learning provider and an independent specialist college have been awarded Beacon status by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS).
03/03/10
BIS and DCSF respond to Science for Careers Expert Group report
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) today welcome the publication of the report from the Science for Careers Expert Group.
02/03/10
Lantra secures £1.4m funding for land-based skills development in Scotland
Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for environmental and land-based industries, has announced that the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead, has approved a renewal of their Scottish Government funding agreement.
01/03/10
Becta launches FITS as an independent organisation
Becta is this month launching FITS (Framework for ICT Technical Support) as an independent, not-for-profit organisation providing National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) to IT technicians in schools.
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