Press Releases

Skills Commission inquiry into vocational teacher training call for evidence

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:52:42 +0100

The Skills Commission is issuing a call for evidence for its latest inquiry into vocational teacher training. The inquiry being chaired by Sir Mike Tomlinson is set to report in early 2010 and we would be grateful if you could help publicise the call for evidence if you feel it is appropriate to your readership. Further details can be found on our site at http://www.policyconnect.org.uk/content/skills/sc/resources/gen/MTEyODowOjA= ...

WAES celebrates publication of Good Ofsted Inspection Report

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:32:20 +0100

Westminster Adult Education Service (WAES) is celebrating the publication of its Ofsted inspection report after being awarded a Good: Grade 2 overall. During the week commencing 11 May 2009, the service was inspected by Ofsted, the government department responsible for setting and monitoring standards in education. The purpose of the inspection was to assess the quality of education provision for adults provided by WAES, and to consider the effectiveness of the service ...

Constance Briscoe visits Childcare Diploma Graduates at WAES

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:28:16 +0100

Constance Briscoe, author of Ugly, Beyond Ugly and one of the first black women to sit as a judge in the UK, visited the graduating class of the Level 3 Diploma in Pre-School Practice at Westminster Adult Education Service (WAES) on Thursday 9th July 2009. Briscoe attended the event after graduating student Elizabeth-Ann Murphy and her tutor Angela Gordon-Wright made contact with her via her website www.constancebriscoe.com. Murphy first introduced Briscoe’s stor ...

St Peter's Primary School pupils build on their carpentry and brickwork skills at Barry College

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:25:10 +0100

Barry College’s Cardiff Construction Training Centre (CCTC) recently paid host to 70 Year Five children from St Peters RC Primary School. ...

U2s mixing desk gives City College students The Edge

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:36:51 +0100

Music Technology students at City College Brighton and Hove recently performed and recorded tracks for their own compilation CD using a state-of-the-art mixing desk that was used by rock legends U2 and their producer Brian Eno at London’s Olympic Studios. The students’ finished album has been released on the College’s student-run label, Brighton Records, which was set up to help them gain an insight into the music industry and gain valuable experience in an ...

AQA signs exclusive 6 year partnership agreement with BTL to deliver e-Assessment programme

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:31:23 +0100

BTL Group Ltd is delighted to announce a 6 year partnership agreement with AQA, one of the UK’s largest Awarding Bodies to develop and deliver their e-Assessment programme, TEAL (Technology Enabled Assessment for Learners).

Association for Learning Technology announces invited speakers for 2009 conference

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:05:46 +0100

The Association for Learning Technology (ALT) announces the nine invited speakers for this year’s high profile conference; the title for ALT-C 2009 is "In dreams begins responsibility” - choice, evidence, and change. The conference takes place from 8-10 September 2009, Manchester, UK. http://www.alt.ac.uk/altc2009/. The nine invited speakers join the three keynote speakers, plus many other leading lights in the learning technology sector who will be ru ...

People 1st unveils new customer service qualifications

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:49:59 +0100

As the biggest UK ‘staycation’ hots up, People 1st has unveiled two new customer service qualifications to galvanise frontline hospitality and travel staff into delivering the ultimate customer experience. The qualifications were developed following extensive research led by the sector skills council for hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism, among international industry experts and 2000 UK businesses. This revealed that employers recognise that a s ...

East Berkshire College receives good review in Ofsted report

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:20:33 +0100

East Berkshire College has been judged as consistently good by Ofsted following a week-long inspection in May. The report, which is published today, says: ‘This is a good college with good capacity to improve’, ‘teaching and learning are good’ and ‘educational and social inclusion are outstanding’. Principal Jean Robertson said: "We are delighted with Ofsted’s findings. They recognised that the learners’ experience and success is ...

Redundant financial services workers offered retraining by the NSAFS

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:25:52 +0100

The National Skills Academy for Financial Services training provider network to help meet the employment challenges of the recession. Colleges that make up the National Skills Academy for Financial Services (NSAFS) training provider network are playing a pivotal part in supporting individual workers across the country to find new jobs and improve their skills if they are made redundant due to the current recession. The individual colleges are offering various sup ...

Fresh talents showcased at ncn

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:23:31 +0100

FE students studying Art, Design, Fashion and Media at New College Nottingham (ncn) exhibited their work at a special end of year show from 24th – 26th June. The show, entitled This Time Next Year we’ll all be… was just one of a selection of celebratory shows this year to mark ncn’s 10th Anniversary. ...

HowToMoodle launches Moodle 1.9 manual

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:58:13 +0100

Specialist training and consultancy firm, HowToMoodle, has launched a new manual, the Course Creator Reference Manual for Moodle 1.9. The 264 page manual is available as an ebook or hard copy from www.howtomoodle.com and is selling across the world from England to Australia. It is estimated that there are over 24 million users from over 36,000 sites globally using the open source course management system, Moode. Author of the manuals and director of HowToMoodle, Ray L ...

Promethean Introduces All-New ActivClassroom

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:40:59 +0100

Promethean,a global leader in interactive education technology solutions, today unveilsthe long anticipated redesign of its award winning collaborative classroomlearning solution: the ActivClassroom for Everyone. Inaddition to transforming the ActivClassroom’s visual and experiential design,each major product line boasts significant upgrades and updates. Designed tocultivate immersive, collaborative learning environments by expanding itsfeatures, tools and resource integration capabilities ...

Northampton College showcases performing and creative art talents to thousands

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:34:31 +0100

A giant sponge cake inspired by Alice in Wonderland was just one of the impressive works of art at ‘The Show 2009’ - Northampton College’s biggest ever student showcase enjoyed by almost two thousand people.

Northampton College fashion students set the trend

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:33:02 +0100

College students paraded eccentric evening dresses, delicate oriental designs, printed silks and quirky day collections at the College’s fashion show.

FE graduate is Nottingham Young Chef of the Year

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:31:33 +0100

Daniel Cartledge, 19, was named ‘Young Chef of the Year’ at the annual Nottingham Restaurant Awards in June. Daniel was nominated for the award by his employer - Tonic Restaurant in Nottingham - whilst studying for an advanced apprenticeship in Professional Cookery at New College Nottingham (ncn). He competed against three other finalists in a head to head battle at ncn. Among the finalists were current ncn student Liam Pykett and former ncn catering student Nathaniel Tofa ...

New channels to fresh talent for hospitality and travel

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:35:26 +0100

People 1st and Jobcentre Plus have announced an agreemenet that will give businesses access to pre-trained job seekers looking for work in the hospitality sector. This means that employers can tap into a pool of new talent that has completed pre-employment training in key areas including food safety, customer service and health and safety. The pre-employment training programme, developed by People 1st, comprises an intensive two-week training course aimed at providing new entran ...

Yorkshire School Goes Super-Sized With Graphics Walls

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:13:01 +0100

School has just got a lot more colourful for students at Pudsey Grangefield School, Leeds. The school's interior walls have been given a high impact new look with the help of super-sized graphic wall coverings and the inspirational images creating a real wow factor throughout the building. These full colour wall murals have been created by large format printers Digital Plus and the idea is set to catch on. The Leeds-based firm were called in to give 300 square mete ...

Association for Learning Technology announces key themes for 2009 conference

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:16:19 +0100

The Association for Learning Technology (ALT) announces the themes for this year’s annual international conference; the title for ALT-C 2009 is "In dreams begins responsibility” - choice, evidence, and change. The conference takes place from 8-10 September 2009, Manchester, UK. ...

Hartlepool Brewery Outlines Plans for Success

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:35:49 +0100

A major Hartlepool employer says developing and training staff is the key to staying competitive in a tough trading environment. Camerons Brewery is aiming to continue and expand on its work as a contract brewer with major drinks brands after investing over £4m in the infrastructure of the historic Lion Brewery, home to Camerons since 1865. A major Hartlepool employer says developing and training staff is the key to staying competitive in a tough trading env ...

Signposter.com launches billboard advertising service for educational establishments

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:47:29 +0100

Signposter.com, the newly-launched online service providing easy access to outdoor advertising to small businesses and other organisations with smaller budgets, today announces the launch of a service for schools and colleges to reach potential students as they, and their parents, plan for the next academic year. Through Signposter.com educational establishments can easily plan and book a bespoke campaign to reach their particular target market, while ensuring that it st ...

Barnfield Centre of Excellence

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:48:55 +0100

Barnfield College Luton has been named as a Wella Professionals Centre of Excellence in recognition of its high standards. Barnfield is the only college in the area and one of 12 in Britain to receive the prestigious award.The college’s modern hair salons are staffed by supervised students and are open to the public, allowing students to gain extensive experience in dealing with customers and develop the professional skills for the hair and beauty industry. The so ...

Association for Learning Technology announces sponsors for 2009 conference

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:23:27 +0100

The Association for Learning Technology (ALT) announces the sponsors for its 2009 conference. This year’s title is "In dreams begins responsibility" - choice, evidence, and change. The conference takes place from 8-10 September 2009, Manchester, UK: www.alt.ac.uk/altc2009/ The conference co-chairs are Gilly Salmon, Professor of elearning and learning technologies at the University of Leicester, UK, and Professor Tom Boyle, Director of the Learning Tec ...

Association for Learning Technology announces competitions for learning technology

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:38:03 +0100

The Association for Learning Technology (ALT www.alt.ac.uk) announces two competitions for those in the education and training sector.

Daventry Learning Partnership Family Fun Day success

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:14:01 +0100

Almost 3,200 people enjoyed the Daventry Learning Partnership’s Family Fun Day on Saturday despite heavy rain.

Top Job For Barnfield

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:54:40 +0100

Pete Birkett, Chief Executive of Barnfield College Luton, has been appointed special part-time adviser to the Skills Minister, Lord Young. He will be advising the Minister on a major new campaign to increase the number of apprentices in the FE sector. Barnfield College, itself, is leading a local apprenticeship scheme which could see as many as 19 new apprenticeships being made available this year. Pete Birkett said: “This i ...

Have your say - Lifelong Learning UK calls for input on National Occupational Standards Review

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:06:51 +0100

HAVE YOUR SAY - LIFELONG LEARNING UK CALLS FOR INPUT ON NATIONAL OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS REVIEW Input needed for the review of Learning and Development National Occupational StandardsLifelong Learning UK, the sector skills council responsible for developing the skills of more than 1.2million people working in post-compulsory education, has today launched a review of Learning and Development National Occupational Standards (NOS). The organisation wants to hear from people working in Learning ...

Acua Limited appoints new business development manager

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:18:37 +0100

A Coventry company has continued its rapid expansion with the latest in a string of new appointments. Acua Limited, which provides a range of management and leadership skills training to large companies and organisations across the country, has just appointed Jayne Boyle, from Warwick, to the role of business development manager. Jayne, will work as part of the business development team to promote Acua’s portfolio of products and services to organisations from the public, pri ...

Three is the magic number for NCFE

Fri, 29 May 2009 10:34:39 +0100

National qualification provider NCFE has further strengthened its Business Development Team following a successful recruitment campaign. NCFE has welcomed three new members of staff who will join the organisation’s fast-expanding Business Development Team. Andrew Tollett has joined the organisation as a Business Development Manager and Rachel Shute and Julia Vielma-Clegg have also been appointed as Business Development Officers – giving additional support to the team. NCFE&rsq ...

Bright Budding Business Brains get a helping hand

Fri, 29 May 2009 09:59:24 +0100

Bright Budding Business Brains get a helping hand Twenty five unemployed young adults from Derby are the first to reap the rewards of an innovative new, free Business Studies training programme created by the Employability and Skills Group (esg), one of the UK’s leading providers of skills development. esg’s unique pilot Business Studies course gives learners an opportunity to gain a nationally recognised Business diploma, as well as improving their IT and communication skills ...

Coleg Glan Hafren ILEX students achieve 100% pass rate

Wed, 27 May 2009 09:46:37 +0100

18 of Coleg Glan Hafren’s Law students taking their exams in the ILEX (Institute of Legal Executives) Level 3 Professional Certificate in Law and Practice have achieved a 100% pass rate. One student from a Barry Law firm even achieved the ultimate 100% mark with distinction. Coleg Glan Hafren offers several options for following the ILEX route to the Legal profession. Over 100 students are studying ILEX courses this year at Coleg Glan Hafren, from more than 35 emp ...

TSW and VGTA collaborate for South Wales employers

Wed, 27 May 2009 09:44:14 +0100

In Mid-May Training Solutions Wales (TSW) and Vale of Glamorgan Training Association (VGTA), the services to business arm of Coleg Glan Hafren and the work-based learning provider of Barry College respectively, announced their decision to collaborate at an event in the Copthorne Hotel. The event was attended by Jane Hutt, the Welsh Assembly Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills. TSW and VGTA are two of the larger work-based learning training pr ...

NCFE boosts support for skilled workforce

Fri, 22 May 2009 11:59:57 +0100

A new range of qualifications has been launched to support the sharp increase in skilled workers moving into teaching. National qualification provider NCFE has launched Level 3 and Level 4 Awards in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector – a range of courses which allow learners to pass on their skills and knowledge as teachers or lecturers in the adult education sector. The Lifelong Learning sector – which includes adult education, personal development, skills traini ...

Pupils get an education in WorkSkills

Thu, 21 May 2009 10:48:50 +0100

Work-savvy pupils are set to become the norm as brand new work-related qualifications are launched at level 1. Delivered online through www.vision2learnforschools.com, the WorkSkills qualifications allow learners to achieve BTEC qualifications at Award, Certificate or Diploma level in areas such as how to find a job and work placements as well as developing key work skills. The six new Level 1 additions include Searching for a Job, Applying for a Job, Preparing for an Interview, Inte ...

Recognition of Quality - Gloucestershire College Student Services

Tue, 19 May 2009 11:50:25 +0100

The Student Services team at Gloucestershire College is delighted to be the first department of its kind in the South West to be awarded ISO9001 accreditation. ISO9001 is an internationally recognised quality standard that states an organisation or department has a robust and fit for purpose quality management system. The Student Services team provide a wide range of services including the provision of information, advice and guidance, admissions support and financial assistance to both c ...

UKs first virtual construction site set to help students build people management skills

Tue, 12 May 2009 18:12:49 +0100

The macho world of construction isn’t the most obvious place to look for a new approach to people skills training. Yet ‘soft skills’ such as the ability to communicate clearly and inspire a team are as critical to the success of any building project as technical expertise. A new construction training centre – the ACT-UK Simulation Centre - set to open at the Coventry University Technology Park in September 2009 with the backing of the Chartered ...

Top training firm continues to make a UK-wide impact

Tue, 12 May 2009 14:56:17 +0100

Andrew Rope is set to make a big impact as the new business consultant for a leading national training company, which is based in the North East. As Business Impact UK’s new business consultant for the south, Andrew Rope (40) will work alongside the company’s southern clients to help maximise their productivity through the use of lean thinking and Business Improvement Techniques. Andrew first began work as a tool maker and mechanical engineer in Norwich ...

NCFE predicts a surge in Diplomas

Mon, 11 May 2009 16:50:28 +0100

National qualification provider NCFE is predicting a surge in the number of young people studying towards Diplomas following the announcement that the majority of higher education courses will accept the new 14-19 Diploma as an entry route. This follows the Government's announcement that 80 per cent of higher education courses in the UK will accept Diplomas - a move which the Government says is a testament to the high quality of the Diplomas and the skills they provide. David Grail ...

Highbury College continues with Chartwells

Mon, 11 May 2009 14:58:22 +0100

Highbury College continues with Chartwells for campus catering Students at Highbury College, Portsmouth, will enjoy a wide range of eating options to rival the high street with the signing of a seven year contract extension with Chartwells, Compass Group UK and Ireland’s education catering and support services business. As part of the contract worth £4 million in revenue a year, students at Highbury College’s two campuses have access to a variety of new food offerings on ...

GC Apprentice Sinead Smith = South West Apprentice of the Year!

Mon, 11 May 2009 13:31:28 +0100

Gloucestershire College (GC) apprentice Sinead Smith won the title of Apprentice of the Year at the South West Skills Awards held in Exeter during April. The prestigious awards ceremony, organised by the Learning Skills Council (LSC), recognises the achievements of individuals and organisations in learning and training across the region. Sinead, 19, from Podsmead, Gloucester, works for the Administration and Funds Team at GC alongside completing her Apprenticeship in Business Administration ...

Training firm in rapid expansion

Mon, 11 May 2009 09:52:53 +0100

A major training company is moving up in the world just six months after taking a new headquarters in Coventry. Acua Limited, which provides a range of work-based management skills training to large companies and organisations across the country, moved its HQ to a new base at the Coventry Innovation Village last September, however they now have had to more than double in size. The company, which is a training subsidiary of Coventry University, has taken over the 4,000 sq ft buildin ...

Blogging On The Go, Aka Mobile Blogging

Fri, 08 May 2009 11:03:09 +0100

Blogging - What is it that attracts people so much? Blogging is a type of website that lets you post in your comments, suggestions or read about anything being discussed in the blog that catches your interest. It is a way for people to interact, discuss or debate about a certain topic. Think of it as a small group of people debating or sharing comments about a particular topic. http://www.workathomewebjobs.com One of the many reasons of why blogs are very popular is that i ...

Skills for Work creating positive futures with the help of Adult Directions

Fri, 08 May 2009 08:36:59 +0100

A project at Calderdale College which engages ex-offenders in employment and education is getting them on the right path with CASCAiD Adult Directions, a unique software program which helps people find the right career. The Skills for Work project, which is part of the Offenders’ Learning and Skills Service, helps ex-offenders to develop skills and prepares them for education and employment. Adult Directions, which is developed by CASCAiD, the UK’s leading producer of car ...

BIG YELLOW SELF STORAGE LAUNCHES SEARCH FOR THE NEXT SOCIAL MEDIA GURU

Thu, 07 May 2009 12:13:09 +0100

Luxury hotel scholarship on offer to Wiltshire College chefs

Thu, 07 May 2009 11:30:03 +0100

Von Essen Hotels are offering an amazing 12 month scholarship contract to the winning student in a prestigious new catering competition at Wiltshire College. The first heats will take place at Wiltshire College Trowbridge and Chippenham on 12th May 2009 and Salisbury on 19th May 2009. 26 students will take part. They are all currently in their second year on full and part time Catering courses across the three Wiltshire College campuses. The salaried scholarship as a Commis Chef will con ...

Martin Bean, Vice-Chancellor designate for the OU to speak at ALT conference

Thu, 07 May 2009 10:02:36 +0100

The Association for Learning Technology announces a third keynote speaker for its 2009 conference. The conference title is "In dreams begins responsibility" - choice, evidence, and change and will take place at the University of Manchester, UK from 8-10 September 2009. Martin Bean, Vice-Chancellor Designate of the Open University, will join Michael Wesch and Terry Anderson as keynote speakers. Martin has over 20 years experience in global business training and education in organisation ...

New £7.2m build to start at The College Ystrad Mynach

Fri, 01 May 2009 16:15:32 +0100

Building work will start at The College Ystrad Mynach next month with the announcement of a £5m investment by the Welsh Assembly Government. The new build at The College Ystrad Mynach will encompass 13 classrooms, a new library, improved catering facilities and public areas for learners, exhibitions, competitions and public events, providing the college with the much needed space for the 14,000 learners that walk through its door each year. "Over the last 10 years the Co ...

Skills Secretary cuts first turf at Northampton Colleges new build project

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:40:37 +0100

The Secretary of State for the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills marked the start of Northampton College’s ambitious new capital building projects today when he cut the first turf. The RT Hon John Denham MP took part in a celebratory event at the College's Booth Lane site where existing buildings will be demolished and replaced with a 27,000m² modern design. Construction for a substantial extension at Lower Mounts in the Town Centre will also begin. John Denha ...

Big Green Sheep Gets Switched On

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:08:39 +0100

Big Green Sheep has joined forces with Forth Valley College for Scotland’s largest human resources event to help raise the profile of the college’s business training solutions. Switched On, the recent three day CIPD Annual Scottish Conference brought together HR professionals and senior managers from across Scotland. To help attract delegates to discuss training requirements with Forth Valley College, Big Green Sheep was on hand with its unique online registration survey and ...

Inspiring Barry College tutor Geoff awarded

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:16:37 +0100

Barry College Electrical Installation lecturer Geoff Shaw has received awards for his continuous commitment to the career and professional development of adult learners and apprentices. Geoff won an award under NIACE Dysgu Cymru, the advocates of adult learning in Wales, for being an Inspiring Tutor and Mentor. His commitment to his learners and apprentices was recognised by City & Guilds, which also honoured Geoff with an award. Barry College Head of Engineering Department, Ri ...

Coleg Glan Hafren offers Bushcraft on Public Services courses

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:56:31 +0100

Coleg Glan Hafren’s Uniformed Public Services course is one of the first in Wales to offer Bushcraft skills through a qualified lecturer.

ALTS LEARNING TECHNOLOGIST OF THE YEAR AWARD closing date 21 May 2009

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:42:04 +0100

Up to 6 prizes to be awarded Entries for the 2009 Learning Technologist of the Year award are now open. This is the third year that the Association for Learning Technology (http://www.alt.ac.uk) has run the awards, which celebrate and reward excellent practice and outstanding achievement in the learning technology field - the broad range of communication, information and related technologies that can be used to support learning, teaching, and assessment. The Award will be presented at ALT's ann ...

The Association for Learning Technology and the eLearning Network announce free 90 minute lunchtime

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:40:28 +0100

The Association for Learning Technology (www.alt.ac.uk) and the eLearning Network (http://www.elearningnetwork.org/) are running a series of free 90 minute lunchtime webinars. The first webinar in the series, Using Webinars for Real-Time Learning, on 1 May had over 90 bookings. * 16 June - Serious Games - with Professor Sara De Freitas of the Serious Games Institute, at Coventry University and Christopher Brannigan from Caspian Learning - booking deadline 9/6/2009 * 15 October -Video on a Shoes ...

Ex-journalism student makes killer debut in Brighton

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:25:58 +0100

Danny Hogan, a former NCTJ journalism student at City College Brighton and Hove, has given the classic ‘pulp’ fiction genre a 21st Century makeover with his debut novel, Killer Tease. The thriller, set in Brighton’s sleazy underbelly, tells the tale of Eloise Murphy, a burlesque dancer with a murderously bad temper... Having refined his writing skills on City College’s NCTJ magazine journalism course, Danny Hogan went on to work for local publishers Pen Press, who ...

'Train more union learning reps' says Denham, as TUC's unionlearn reaches target of 22,000

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:02:49 +0100

John Denham, MP, Secretary of State for DIUS called for more union learning reps (ULRs) to be trained, as he congratulated unionlearn, the TUC and unions on reaching an agreed target of 22,000 trained and accredited ULRs, today (Wednesday 22 April) at a reception in Westminster. Described by John Denham as ‘your best friend in the workplace’, ULRs promote the learning message and work with employers, through their unions, to help colleagues to access courses, such as IT, English, M ...

Former City College student awarded two Bib Gourmand entries in Michelin Guide

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:08:30 +0100

Local Chef Ben McKellar, who studied Catering at City College Brighton and Hove, has been awarded a Michelin Guide ‘Bib Gourmand’ entry for two premises where he is head chef and owner - The Ginger Fox in Albourne and The Ginger Pig in Hove. The Ginger Fox has only been open for a year while The Ginger Pig has been awarded a Bib Gourmand for the second year in a row. Ben McKellar is the only restaurateur in Sussex to have two of these prestigious awards. The Michelin Guide is mos ...

Female entrepreneur turns education experience into business

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:54:18 +0100

Deborah Carton left a successful career in teaching behind her, with a simple vision to revolutionise open evenings and recruitment events at schools and colleges. Less than a year later and Deborah is leading the launch of www.biggreensheep.com, a first for FE colleges, and one of the most innovative marketing techniques developed specifically for the education market for years. Deborah explained: "I was often tasked with managing open evenings at school, and had to put in mas ...

A new breed of dragons on the horizon

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:51:20 +0100

New figures have revealed that the number of young people hoping to follow in the footsteps of Peter Jones, Duncan Bannatyne and other Dragon’s Den favourites has soared – despite the current economic climate. National qualification provider NCFE has seen a dramatic rise in the number of students studying enterprise qualifications - with a 50 per cent increase over the past six months. The qualification provider says it believes this rise will pave the way for a new wav ...

New report finds continuing inequality for women and unskilled workers

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 10:38:07 +0100

A new report says that many of Britain’s unskilled, low paid workers are caught in a ‘skills trap’, often receiving little or no training from their employers, and that highly-trained women lag behind male colleagues when it comes to pay and progression. The report, by the City & Guilds Centre for Skills Development, says that the Government and businesses must do more to support women and unskilled staff, and warns that current initiatives must be updated to deal with th ...

LSIS launches innovative Skills for Life core curriculum

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:02:48 +0100

The new Skills for Life core curriculum is set to make a real difference to the lives of trainers and teachers who support adult learners. Developed by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service and available exclusively via the Excellence Gateway - LSIS’s online portal for the FE sector - the revised adult core curriculum is now online and will provide vital guidance to practitioners at a click of the mouse, giving instant access to vital adult literacy, language and numeracy resources. ...

iansyst and XMA to help disabled students through Governments Home Access pilot

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:22:03 +0100

Disability specialist iansyst Ltd (www.dyslexic.com/home-access) and XMA (www.xma4ha.co.uk) have partnered to provide assistive technologies, training and support to disabled students across Oldham and Suffolk eligible for the Government’s Home Access pilot. This new funding marks the Government’s dedication to providing disabled young people with equal access to ICT, and forms part of a wider commitment to supply 5 to 18 year-olds from low income families with access to a co ...

EDI qualifications herald new era of professionalism in taxi and private hire industry

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:44:38 +0100

A new era of improved professionalism and better customer service in the private hire industry is being heralded by EDI, which today reported that over 8,000 learners have, in the past four months, registered for its Level 2 NVQ in Road Passenger Vehicle Driving (RPVD). Currently employing some 255,000 people across the UK, the taxi and private hire industry has increased by 25% over the past decade with a similar rise forecast for the next ten years. New regulations and ...

Barnardos defies recession and offers staff in-store training from EDI

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 09:21:16 +0100

Positive stories in the current economic gloom are few and far between, but Barnardo’s stores have a reason to celebrate. Aged 23, Paul Boulton, the youngest Manager of a Barnardo’s store in the UK, has won the Advanced Apprenticeship 2008 Award and also the Overall Winner Award in the Work-based Learning Awards 20081. Paul’s story is one of determination and success. He is a testament to the virtues of work-based learning having made the transition from volunt ...

Celebrating another year of success at Barry College

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:03:03 +0100

Barry Memorial Hall last week played host to the lavish and extremely popular Barry College Annual Awards Ceremony. Now in its fourth year, the event was more spectacular than ever. Around 300 learners, staff, sponsors and guests from local business and industry arrived at the Memorial Hall for the ceremony that celebrates the success and achievements of the College, its staff and learners during the last academic year. Guests included Barry College award winners and their guests, ...

iansyst Ltd extends offering to students eligible for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:18:47 +0100

UK students eligible for an ergonomic equipment award as part of their Disabled Student’s Allowance (DSA) now have access to the latest ergonomic furniture from leading assistive technology experts, iansyst Ltd. Thanks to a newly-forged partnership with ergonomic solutions specialists Posturite (UK) Ltd, DSA students now have a single route to expertise and state-of-the-art technologies for disabilities ranging from dyslexia, visual impairment and musculoskeletal problems by going online ...

Learners Engage at Oldham Athletic Football Club

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:49:29 +0100

An innovative new project in Oldham provides young people in the area with an alternative to mainstream school or college by enabling students at risk of underachieving to access their education online. The scheme has been developed as a partnership between leading online learning provider, the Nisai Virtual Academy (NVA), Oldham Athletic Football Club and Oldham Council. The partnership enables students who are experiencing difficulties in attending school or college to use the state of ...

Promethean introduces ActivLearning

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:49:13 +0100

Global leader in interactive classroom solutions, Prometheanhas unveiled ‘ActivLearning’ (www.PrometheanPlanet.com/ActivLearning),a new, enhanced version of its online professional development site, formerlyPromethean Learning. Representing the next generation of professionaldevelopment for users of interactive technologies, ActivLearning has beendeveloped to ensure teachers are better equipped to use ActivClassroomsolutions to maximum effect in the classroom. ActivLearning featu ...

Record Apprentice Entries in East Midlands

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 10:26:04 +0100

Record Apprentice Entries in East Midlands The East Midlands is top of the class, recording the highest number of entries in the UK for the forthcoming Apprenticeship Awards, according to figures released this week by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) national office. Almost 230 entries have been received from employers and individuals across the East Midlands in nine awards categories, equivalent to one in four of all entries across the UK. Finalists will attend a ceremony hosted by ...

Apprentices sharpen up for World Skills

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 09:31:28 +0100

Nescot College gave the Southeast's top apprentices the chance to perfect their skills in plumbing, electronics and computing on the 25th and 26th of February. The college ran expert classes, designed to show the difference between satisfactory and excellent skills in preparation for the 2011 World Skills Games, to be held in London. David Mason, of Deloitte, who is running the scheme on behalf of the Learning and Skills Council, explained the reasons for holding these classes, which are ...

Photography Students take the Paparazzi Challenge

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 09:26:12 +0100

Nescot’s brightest photography students were tested to the limit when the Nikon/Calumet Roadshow came to the college on Thursday March 5th. Alongside experts from the photographic equipment firms, David Robbins of Nikon and Calumet’s James Zierold, the day was hosted by top editorial snapper Tom Miles, whose glossy magazine covershoots, for the likes of Maxim and Mens Health, command a hefty fee. Miles, who began his career with a course at his local college, shared insider s ...

Nescot invites you to the classroom of the future

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 09:24:49 +0100

The exhibition, run in conjunction with JISC, shows how science fantasy is becoming classroom possibility, and will be open to colleges, universities and other further education providers from as far afield as Oxford on March 16th. With many institutions embarking on radical new build projects there is a real need for technology to match the aspirations of both educators and their learners. From simple innovations such as super durable interactive display screens, which can withstand use ...

Online Booster Programme Proves Popular Choice for Struggling Schools

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:10:22 +0100

With hundreds of schools throughout England failing to meet Government targets, an innovative new solution from one of the UK’s leading providers of online learning could provide the answer education professionals have been looking for. The National Challenge, a Government initiative that aims to improve standards in English secondary schools so that by 2011, at least 30 percent of students in each school will achieve a minimum of five GCSEs at A*-C grade, including English and Mathema ...

Business Woman Reveals what it Takes to be an Entrepreneur

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:51:48 +0100

A leading entrepreneurial businesswoman reveals her tips to succeed in business in the latest podcast from Connexions Derbyshire, in partnership with the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) East Midlands. Emma Harrison is chairman of A4e, a leading private training organisation and market leader in social reform. Emma founded the business in 1986 and it is now a truly international business operating in markets around the globe. In the three-minute interview with an animated online c ...

Barry College apprentice Kevin scoops national award

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:11:11 +0100

Barry College learner Kevin McDaid, an Engineering Apprentice at Dow Corning Engineering, has been recognised for his achievements at work and in College by EEF, the manufacturers organisation in Wales. At their 58th Awards ceremony in Llandrindod Wells recently, Kevin was awarded Third place for a second year apprentice. There are currently more than 1,000 manufacturing apprentices in Wales and 22 were selected to contest the final stages. Kevin joined the College extended year ap ...

esg Delivers More for Carlsberg

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 10:00:40 +0100

Top five global brewer Carlsberg UK is delivering more to its on trade customers by partnering with the Employability and Skills Group (esg), one of the UK’s leading providers of skills development. esg is delivering sector leading industry vocational qualifications in Hospitality that are tailored to the individual requirements of Carlsberg’s on trade customers. These include owner managers and employees working in outlets from committee clubs and traditional pubs to Indian restau ...

sencia Fast Track £1m Mersey Project

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 09:50:29 +0100

Unemployed people in the Wirral on Merseyside are benefiting from a £1m Government funded project aimed at matching their skills with real job vacancies. The £1m contract, known as Mersey Fast Track Project, is being delivered by employability business sencia, part of the Employability and Skills Group (esg), from its offices in Birkenhead. The contract is funded by the Learning and Skills Council. Di Fryar, Operations Director, sencia explains: "This is a common se ...

World Skills Candidate Builds a Sturdy Future

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:17:50 +0100

Sam Fairgrieve from Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire has achieved a lot in a short space of time. At 16 he left school with one GCSE and applied for an Apprenticeship with a local construction company, Jelson Homes. Four year on, 20 year old Sam is a fully qualified bricklayer with a number of construction awards under his belt and has been shortlisted for the 2009 WorldSkills Competition that takes place in Calgary, Canada in September. The WorldSkills event occurs every two years a ...

You're never too old to learn carer receives Outstanding Achievement Award

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:39:53 +0100

Brian Burns, a 64 year old Care Assistant from Haslingden in Lancashire has been awarded an Outstanding Achievement Award for successfully completing a nine month Adult Advanced Apprenticeship in Health and Social Care in just six months. Brian, who began his working life as an engineer, has now retrained as a full-time Care Assistant at Orchards Haslingden Lodge and completed his NVQ with CTS Training and certificated by EDI (Education Development International) – a recognised Awarding ...

Minister's Podcast Reveals Political Secrets

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:00:59 +0100

Winners Celebrate Success at Work Based Learning Awards Ceremony

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 10:43:02 +0100

Over two hundred people across Lincolnshire and Rutland descended on The Lawn in Lincoln last night for the third, annual Lincolnshire and Rutland Work Based Learning Awards hosted by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). Local radio personality, Sean Dunderdale of Lincs FM, played host for the evening which celebrated the outstanding achievements of assiduous and enthusiastic learners, businesses and schools across the region, committed to work based learning. More than 160 applications ...

SLIC Training partner with EDI for enhanced training provision

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 10:26:34 +0100

SLIC Training, an East Midlands based training provider offering training, assessment and consultancy in a wide range of vocational areas, has credited leading awarding body and assessment specialist EDI with helping it win a training award. The company, which has been working with EDI since April 2008 to provide training courses across a wide range of sectors including food and hospitality, business administration, customer service and health and social care, has been awarded with a Bes ...

Grantham College helps pupils 'Escape School'!

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:18:01 +0100

As the business of education becomes increasingly competitive with Sixth Forms and Colleges vying to attract the same school leavers, Grantham College has launched a novel way of fighting back - and getting clear information to those that matter most – the students. In Grantham, a town of approximately 35,000 people (of which one third are aged over 55), there are already two sixth forms (based at the male and female grammar schools) and a third one is planned at the local a ...

Promethean Launches ActivInspire Software Offering Intuitive Tools and Greater Ease of Use

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:59:07 +0100

Promethean Launches ActivInspireSoftware Offering Intuitive Tools and Greater Ease of UseFirst cross-platformsoftware for interactive whiteboards, developed by teachers for teachers London, UK, 2nd March 2009 – Promethean, a globalleader in interactive learning technology, today announces the worldwide launchof its latest innovative interactive software, ActivInspire. The softwaredevelopment included a successful trial period and collaboration withspecialist teacher user groups, who ...

LSIS strategic direction places the debate in the FE sectors own hands

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:09:42 +0100

The recently formed Learning and Skills Improvement Service launches its first statement of strategic direction, which marks the beginning of a new conversation between LSIS, the sector and partners. Through this dialogue, LSIS will identify the key priorities for responding to the sectors ambitions. Developed from early discussions with the sector and also with the support of the sector-led LSIS board, the document sets out LSIS’s proposed vision, mission and aims centred around t ...

LSIS launches eCPD Programme to enhance teaching and learning in FE

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:35:13 +0100

On February 5 2009 the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) launched its new eCPD Programme, which has been designed to improve and enhance teaching and learning through effective use of technology. The launch, which was attended in person or remotely by a total of almost 300 delegates, combined keynote speeches with a choice of 20 workshops showcasing technologies and case studies. Welcoming the launch conference, Siôn Simon, Minister for Further Education at DIUS ...

Learning to Learn in FE Conference

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 09:04:36 +0100

In the light of recent developments in the FE sector and the need for new models to help young people take charge of their own learning in the lead-up to the proposed raising of the participation age, the Campaign for Learning has launched a pilot research project to examine how young people and adults learn how to learn in FE. The Campaign for Learning's Learning to Learn in Schools Project has been running for eight years, and has demonstrated a positive impact on SATs results, motivation, a ...

New qualification to increase health and hygiene

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:05:50 +0100

A new range of qualifications have been launched to help improve hygiene and cleaning services within the care and support sectors. National qualification provider NCFE has launched NVQs in Cleaning and Support Services, which aim to upskill people working in the sector, ensure that employees are highly trained in cleaning and hygiene and have an enhanced awareness of superbug prevention. The qualifications cover a range of areas including reducing health and safety risks, dealing w ...

ATG trainings rescue plan for apprentices at risk of redundancy

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:55:16 +0100

ATG training’s rescue plan for apprentices at risk of redundancy With the credit crunch pushing unemployment up to its highest since 1997, redundancy is a real risk for many of Britain’s 240,000 apprentices. A new support package accessed via Learning and Skills Council funding is now available for apprentices under 25 who want to complete an existing apprenticeship or switch to a new area to increase their employability. Using this hardship package, leading vocational skills learn ...

Association for Learning Technologys ALT Newsletter: themes for January issue

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 17:16:35 +0100

The Association for Learning Technology’s quarterly newsletter, ALT News, will be freely available on the Internet from 1 February. The Association for Learning Technology (ALT) is a UK-based professional and scholarly association which brings together all those with an interest in the use of learning technology. This issue, which has been edited by Julie Voce with Kevin Donovan and Graham McElearney, carries twelve features on experiences, product reviews and news from the learnin ...

Enterprising Young Brits

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:38:41 +0100

Are you an enterprising young Brit? Do you know someone who should be in the spotlight? The fifth Daily Mail Enterprising Young Brits Awards is now open and calling for entries so if you or someone you know has made their idea happen in a new, innovative or inspiring way, what are you waiting for?! Part of the Make Your Mark campaign and supported by the Institute of Directors, the competition is open to anyone aged 30 and under. If you want to be in with a chance to win £1,000 and ...

Essex A-level students maximise potential by linking textbooks & online resources

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 09:27:11 +0100

Focussing on personal development and individual learning skills, the completely revised A-level curriculum, which was introduced in September 2008, aims to help students maximise their potential and creativity. To fully meet the new specifications, Helena Romanes School and Sixth Form Centre in Great Dunmow, Essex, began using Nelson Thornes learning space (NTls) at the beginning of the autumn term to promote independent and personalised learning among its A-level students. With 125 stud ...

Ideas MashUp Competition

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 09:48:35 +0100

Make Your Mark has launched an ideas competition for sixth forms and further education colleges in the UK! Ideas MashUp Competition challenges young people in colleges to come up with exciting new ideas by mashing existing ones together! Using the Ideas MashUp toolkit tutors will be able to facilitate workshops designed to help students generate ideas and think about how to turn them into reality. Students must then produce a 60 second video pitch bringing their idea to life! If yo ...

Great British Menu star Stephen Terry cooks up a storm at Barry College

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 09:55:52 +0100

Top welsh chef Stephen Terry visited Barry College last week and helped its Hospitality & Catering learners prepare and cook a three course gourmet meal. The chef-proprietor of the Hardwick Restaurant in Abergavenny and brains behind the winning fish course in last year’s Great British Menu programme, Stephen said he would like to visit the College again. The learners and Stephen prepared and cooked a three course meal of Hardwick signature dishes in the kitchens of the Glamorg ...

Launch of the LSIS "eCPD Programme: Enhancing Learning" 5 February 2009

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:57:55 +0100

The national launch conference for the Learning and Skills Improvement Service 's 'eCPD Programme will be held on Thursday 5 February 2009. The conference will build on the outstandingly successful e-learning practitioner conferences held in 2005 and 2007 which were organised by QIA and ALT and supported by partners including Becta, JISC, NIACE, LSN and CEL. Details of this important event are as follows: Date: Thursday 5 February, 2009 Venue: The Hotel Russell, Russell Square, London ...

Association for Learning Technology calls for nominations for Honorary Life Members

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:56:17 +0100

The Association for Learning Technology (ALT) announces the 2008 Call for Nominations for Honorary Life Membership of ALT, the UK-based professional and scholarly association which brings together all those with an interest in the use of learning technology. Seb Schmoller, Chief Executive of ALT, explains the criteria for honorary members, "We welcome nominations for the Honorary Life Membership which is awarded to individuals whom the Association believes have made an outstanding and ...

Ambitious redevelopment at West Suffolk College

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 11:59:44 +0100

West Suffolk College has been granted £58 million by the LSC (Learning & Skills Council) towards an £80 million building programme which will transform the Bury St Edmunds campus. West Suffolk College has been granted £58 million by the LSC (Learning & Skills Council) towards an £80 million building programme which will transform the Bury St Edmunds campus. The funding will enable West Suffolk College to execute an ambitious project to rebuild the College, ...

Association for Learning Technology announces 2009 conference theme: In dreams begins responsibility

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 14:39:16 +0100

The Association for Learning Technology has announced the theme for its 2009 conference. The event will focus on "In dreams begins responsibility: choices, evidence, and change" and will take place at University Place, University of Manchester, UK from 8-10 September 2009. The conference co-chairs are: Gilly Salmon, Professor of eLearning and Learning Technologies at the University of Leicester, UK. Professor Tom Boyle, Director of the Learning Technology Research Institute at ...

Innovative schemes showcased on Excellence Gateway with launch of new videos

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:07:36 +0100

An exciting new selection of videos which share innovation and best practice are now available through the Excellence Gateway. The government-funded online portal for people working in the further education and skills sector, has made available three videos showcasing the success of individual colleges and providers. Developed by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS), the films are available via EGTV, the portal’s supporting video channel, and cover the diverse topics of ...

Increasing opportunities for gifted and talented learners

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:14:05 +0100

Helping less able students reach average standards while enabling the more able to reach their full potential is a challenge for any classroom teacher. The word ‘personalisation’ has become synonymous with education, with emphasis often being placed on increasing learner attainment and reaching the target standards. While both are necessary and understandable, this can however, prevent resources from being directed at more able students who are not maximising their progress or pote ...

Nelson Thornes learning space brings learning to life for A-level students

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:35:15 +0100

Nelson Thornes (www.nelsonthornes.com) has launched the new and exciting Nelson Thornes learning space (NTls). Nelson Thornes learning space has been designed and developed to improve personal achievement and exam success for every student by harnessing the latest technology in combination with exciting and engaging content. The new online learning environment provides personalised multimedia resources and assessments that are blended with Nelson Thornes’ textbooks to optimise students l ...

Vision2learn for Schools prepares learners for employment with online WorkSkills New for 2009!

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 03:36:04 +0100

Creating Careers will be offering visitors to stand V12 at BETT 2009 an insight into vision2learn for schools and the new WorkSkills modules. Delivered online through www.vision2learnforschools.com, the work-related qualifications allow learners to achieve BTEC qualifications at Award, Certificate or Diploma level in areas such as how to find a job and work placements as well as developing key work skills. WorkSkills has been developed by Edexcel, the UK’s largest awarding body, wi ...

Online Vocational Learning courses offer a Brighter Future to Baths Disengaged Pupils

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 03:30:12 +0100

E-learning is successfully re-engaging teenagers in Bath & North East Somerset who were once considered unruly in the classroom. The Specialist Behavioural Service (SBS) at the Link School is now seeing the benefits of offering students a series of practical vocational courses available online from Creating Careers, through its ‘vision2learn for schools’ service (www.vision2learnforschools.com). Like other specialist units, the SBS Cherokee Project at the Link School was loo ...

Sage advice for City Colleges budding journalists

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:52:29 +0100

Journalism students at City College Brighton and Hove recently benefitted from the wisdom of one of the country’s leading media commentators, Roy Greenslade, who gave a talk at the College’s City College East campus about the current state of the media industry. Mr. Greenslade has been a journalist for 41 years and has worked for most of Britain’s national newspapers. He was Editor of The Daily Mirror (1990-91), Managing Editor (news) at The Sunday Times (1987-90) and Assistant ...

Vale of Glamorgan Training Association celebrates outstanding work-based learners

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:33:50 +0100

The Vale of Glamorgan Training Association (VGTA) has celebrated 25 years of nurturing talent with a special awards ceremony to recognise its outstanding learners. The VGTA, a subsidiary of Barry College, is the eighth largest provider of work-based learning in Wales and the largest Further Education College provider in Wales. It has apprentices based throughout Wales and has links with many local and national firms. Apprentices from most of the sectors covered by the VGTA received award ...

Call for speakers from FE sector

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 12:14:21 +0100

Dear Colleague Supporting and enhancing learning through the effective use of technology Notification of forthcoming conference and invitation to present a workshop at it: workshop proposals needed by 12.00 noon on Monday 8 December 2008 A conference in central London on Thursday 5 February 2009 for all those engaged in the Further Education (FE) system We would like to invite you to share good practice at the Thursday 5 February 2009 national launch conference for the eCPD Enhanci ...

esg win £8m Contract to support 9,400 people

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:38:15 +0100

Five contracts worth over £8m have been won by Sheffield-based Employability and Skills Group (esg) to support over 9,400 people with disabilities find sustainable employment. The two year contracts are to deliver the Government’s New Deal for Disabled People (NDDP) in Manchester, Liverpool, Merseyside, South Tyne and Wear and Glasgow. The NDDP contracts will be delivered by esg’s Employability business sencia. NDDP benefits people with a health issue or a disability by ad ...

Apprentices make reservation at Folio Hotels

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:36:10 +0100

Staff throughout the UK at high quality concept chain Folio Hotels are now booking in to new Apprenticeship and National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) delivered by Sheffield-based Employability and Skills Group (esg). Folio operates across the UK providing guests with a consistently comfortable and memorable hotel experience. Qualifications are available in all departments and areas of Folio Hotels including Hospitality, Customer Service and Business Administration. In addition, esg wil ...

Measuring the success of student engagement,

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:49:54 +0100

Time and time again, research and experience has shown that we have to take advantage of the way children entertain themselves today, to employ dynamic technologies for the betterment of learning outcomes. As so much of today’s students’ experience is shaped and surrounded by highly visual interactive activities, this has become the new currency of learning. Faced with challenge of being in an area with high unemployment advanced by low post mandatory school retention and a low ...

Perry Beeches School in Birmingham is Giving Students a Head Start with New WorkSkills Courses

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:55:57 +0100

Perry Beeches School in Birmingham is helping to prepare its students for further education and the working world by offering dedicated WorkSkills courses. It is one of the first schools in the UK to offer these new online vocational courses with units including ‘Preparing for an Interview’, ‘Working in a Team’ and ‘Preparing for Work Placement’. The courses are delivered through ‘Vision2learn for schools’ from Creating Careers (www.creatingcaree ...

Racing mice in Skills Challenge

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:31:35 +0100

Racing mice have been helping College students develop their electrical/mechanical engineering skills during Colleges Week (10-14th November 2008). Mechatronics students at West Suffolk College were challenged to build, test and race a sound-activated line-tracking robotic mouse in just six hours. Racing mice have been helping College students develop their electrical/mechanical engineering skills during Colleges Week (10-14th November 2008). Mechatronics students at West Suffolk College we ...

New product launched by VLE Support

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:50:57 +0100

VLE Support is announcing today the launch of eCalendar, which takes the pain out of creating and maintaining the school diary, ensuring it is always up-to-date and readily accessible by parents, staff and students. eCalendar has been implemented at St Dunstan’s College in Catford, an independent school for 3 to 18 year olds. eCalendar enables schools to keep an online calendar which authorised personnel can amend or update at any time. If a change is made to the calendar, then the ev ...

New visa regulations will affect institutions, not students

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:40:51 +0100

November 2008 - The new points-based visa system for students announced last week will place additional responsibilities on UK institutions, but should be invisible to foreign students in the short term, according to leading provider of international education, Study Group. James Pitman, Managing Director, Study Group, comments: "For the vast majority of international students wanting to study in Britain, the application process under the tier-4 system will barely change. It is the ins ...

Apprentices celebrate best of Liverpool culture

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:12:34 +0100

Hundreds flocked to Liverpool’s Capital of Coiffure show to preview a range of unique hairstyles, each reflecting a different aspect of the city’s illustrious cultural scene. Hosted by Atomic Kitten star Natasha Hamilton, the iconic event held on 29th October saw Merseyside’s top 35 apprentice hairdressers create a catwalk of singular looks inspired by themes like modern art, retro fashion, football and music. Hundreds flocked to Liverpool’s Capital of Coiffure sho ...

Best in the country for Training Quality excellence

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:35:10 +0100

West Suffolk College is the first training provider in the country to achieve the Training Quality Standard (TQS) for excellence in seven areas of provision: Construction, Engineering, Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism, Management and Leadership, Health Care, Social Care and Children and Young People’s Workforce Development. The College had already achieved the TQS in Construction and Engineering and has recently been accredited in five further areas of excellence. West Su ...

Nationwide activity recognises the role colleges play in unlocking talent and transforming lives

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:49:36 +0100

FORWARD PLANNING NOTICE 10th-16th November 2008 COLLEGES WEEK Nationwide activity recognises the role colleges play in unlocking talent and transforming lives Colleges Week, a national celebration of the role colleges play in unlocking talent in communities and transforming lives of learners, is taking place during the week of the 10th-16th November. Colleges Week is led by the Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills (DIUS) and the Association of Col ...

Barry College lays the foundations for learners with learning difficulties

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:14:57 +0100

This week sees the start of a new term for the first year of a range of Barry College courses that give school students with learning difficulties and disabilities a taste of College life. As part of the Learning Pathways initiative, the College has introduced Foundation Skills courses in Construction, Hair & Beauty, Motor Vehicle and Child Care. The new courses add to the range of options it already offers to foundation schools in the Vale of Glamorgan. Learners from Ashgrove, Erw’ ...

Cardiff City stars Eddie and Miguel visit Barry College

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:16:48 +0100

Cardiff City footballers Miguel Comminges and Eddie Johnson visited Barry College last week to meet the College football team as part of celebrations for Black History Month. Miguel and Eddie came to give a question and answer session with players from the College’s award-winning FEDS team, chaired by sports tutor James Young. They spoke about how much they would like to stay on playing for Cardiff, the teams they supported when they were younger, and accused fellow Bluebird Jay Bothroyd ...

City College Norwich offer Free Online Vocational Courses for Employed Adult Learners in East Anglia

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:15:17 +0100

City College Norwich is now offering a range of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) online which enable employed people to update their skills and achieve a work-related qualification for free. The further education college based in Norwich has joined forces with Newcastle-based e-learning provider, Creating Careers Ltd. The company delivers a range of nationally-recognised qualifications through its e-learning service, vision2learn, including Team Leading, Customer Service Skills, Masteri ...

Barry College focuses on its learners

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 09:53:39 +0100

Learners were given a chance to have their say on how their College is run this week in the first-ever Barry College Focus Group sessions.

Further Education Minister Unveils Improved Accessibility Tools for FE Sector

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:36:48 +0100

LSIS’s Excellence Gateway offers practical, online support The Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) has launched an online toolkit which provides practical guidelines for teachers and trainers to make learning materials even more accessible. Now available on Excellence Gateway is a simple, one-stop shop for resources which merge pedagogical and technical advice where previously these have been scattered over several different channels. Siôn Simon, MP, Minister for Furth ...

ALT and JISC sign two year agreement

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:51:43 +0100

JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee) and ALT (Association for Learning Technology) cemented their successful working relationship by signing a new two year memorandum of understanding (MOU) at ALT’s annual conference in September 2008. Dr. Malcolm Read, executive secretary at JISC, and Seb Schmoller, chief executive at ALT, signed the new MOU, which builds upon several years of collaboration. Dr Read said: "This memorandum of understanding demonstrates our commitment to ...

Barry College celebrates Black History Month

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:50:32 +0100

Barry College is celebrating the cultural diversity of South Wales this October by supporting Black History Month. Black History Month (BHM) recognises and highlights the cultural impact made by black people in the UK. BHM is a celebration of all those who make a difference not because of the colour of their skins, but because of their actions. Held every October, Black History Month aims to promote awareness of black history and experience, circulate information about positive black contri ...

WebsEdge launches new education show

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:19:02 +0100

3 October 2008 – Education Now!, a new television programme covering issues affecting the further education sector will launch this Monday (6 October) on the Community Channel*. The show will be broadcast at 12:30 and 18:30 Monday to Friday, with a late showing at 00:30. Education Now! is produced by leading online broadcaster WebsEdge and will run for eight weeks initially, before rolling out on a permanent basis in Spring 2009.

College introduces new programme to promote sports participation

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:50:24 +0100

After four years of study at Mid-Cheshire College, sports student, Malcolm Tudor has been rewarded for his successful studies by landing a new job at the college’s Hartford Campus. Malcolm has been appointed as a Sport Co-ordinator, and his directive is to encourage and increase the number of students taking part in sport and physical activities. The Government has invested additional funding to ensure that all students aged 16-19 have the opportunity to participate in 3 hours of sport ...

FE Sports Co-ordinator appointed at College

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 10:29:00 +0100

Neil Gilmore has been appointed as the Further Education Sports Co-ordinator (FESCo) at West Suffolk College, Bury St Edmunds .

Learning Technologist of the Year Award 2008 SPONSORED BY TRIBAL

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:17:52 +0100

Winners announced at Association for Learning Technology conference The foremost practitioners in learning technology this month received recognition of their endeavours via the UK’s Association for Learning Technology Learning Technologist of the Year Awards, sponsored by Tribal. Bob Banks, senior consultant at Tribal, said, “The pioneering awards are now in their second year. They help to establish the profession of learning technologist at th ...

Learning Technologist of the Year Award 2008

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 22:13:37 +0100

Association for Learning Technology announces winners The Association for Learning Technology announced the winners of the annual Learning Technologist of the Year Awards at its prestigious annual conference. www.alt.ac.uk/altc2008. The awards were presented by David Cavallo, Chief Learning Architect for One Laptop per Child, at an event attended by Ian Pearson, Minister of State for Science and Innovation (10 September 2008). ...

ALP practises what it preaches as head office staff rack up qualifications

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:49:40 +0100

Three young staff members at the small head office of the Association of Learning Providers near Bristol are celebrating the attainment of their latest qualifications which are allowing them to deliver an even better service to the Association’s members.

One Year On Excellence Gateway reports dramatic increase in users

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:41:06 +0100

The Quality Improvement Agency’s (QIA) Excellence Gateway, a complete online service for all those working in the further education system in England, has been going from strength to strength and helping colleges and providers in their pursuit of excellence, innovation and improvement. Only a year since its launch the Excellence Gateway reports a dramatic rise in visits - the latest data shows a total of 43,460 unique visitors representing almost a 50 per cent rise in less than five months ...

Nelson Thornes offers the key to A-level Science Success

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:20:50 +0100

As AQA announces that 72% of pupils achieved grade C or above in this year’s AQA Science A-level exams, leading educational publisher, Nelson Thornes is launching a new range of A-level print and online resources designed for the new A-level qualifications which start teaching fro this September. Nelson Thornes’ innovative new range of A-level materials for Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics A and Physics B includes both print and online resources are designed to offer suppor ...

Nelson Thornes Launches student handbooks to support new CACHE qualifications

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:38:41 +0100

New from leading educational publisher Nelson Thornes is a set of blended learning resources to support the new CACHE (Council for Awards in Children’s Care and Education) Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications in Childcare and Education. A vibrant full-colour student book is available for each of the two levels of this new course, with online content delivered via Nelson Thornes learning space, which offers both students and tutors a personalised learning environment. Mandatory ...

Southampton City College rolls out new technology to help students learn and teachers teach

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:08:16 +0100

18 August 2008: Southampton City College is rolling-out a pioneering online ILP and personal assessment tracking solution called eTracker in the new academic year. The College believes that eTracker will revolutionise the way in which both its teachers and 9,000 students monitor individual progress against personal targets. John Savage, Learning Technologies Manager, declared: “We’re committed to using cutting edge methods to ensure our students reach their potential. We be ...

New technology helps students learn

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:02:24 +0100

Construction, motor vehicle and hairdressing students are well used to the tools of the trade: spanners, trowels, saws, hair clippers, combs - but laptops and PDAs? High tech communications might not be something you associate with learning a trade, but that’s something East Berkshire College is changing. Here students are using high-tech communications tools and the internet to help keep track of their work while away from the campus. The MoLeNET (mobile learning technology) proje ...

Fantastic New Facilities for College Students

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:38:24 +0100

James Watt College is investing over £2.6m from its Capital Grant allocation to bring a range of exciting new facilities to its Finnart Street campus in Greenock. The work, which started earlier this month, will see the addition of a range of new facilities for students and staff, including a new ICT centre and library, refurbished refectory, coffee bar, shop and hairdressing and beauty salon, which will be open for public use. The facilities are scheduled to be complet ...

ALT RELEASES CONFERENCE PROGRAMME for ALT-C 2008: Rethinking the Digital Divide

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:50:33 +0100

The Association for Learning Technology has released the programme for its annual conference (www.alt.ac.uk/altc2008/timetable.html tinyurl.com/6p2ygx). This year’s theme is Rethinking the Digital Divide. The conference runs from 9-11 September, at the University of Leeds, England. The list of papers being presented is available at http://www.alt.ac.uk/altc2008/altc2008_documents/listofpapers_20080711.pdf. ...

Promethean Launches Training Scheme for Teachers of the Future

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:12:27 +0100

Responding to the need for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to better integrate ICT within initial teacher training courses, educational technology specialist, Promethean, has developed ‘Pass It On’ – a holistic training programme designed to equip student teachers with the skills to use interactive technologies confidently and competently.

RM to partner with the RSA

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:32:18 +0100

RM today announces its partnership with the one of the leadingbodies in education and educational thinking, the RoyalSociety for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) and itsAcademy in Tipton (Sandwell). The Academy opens in September 2008 and inaddition to providing a first class education for the young people of Tipton,it will become the National Centre for the development of Opening Minds. Working with the Academy, RM will tailor its KaleidosLearning Platform specifi ...

BUSINESS LEADERS CALL FOR MORE YOUNG PEOPLE TO TAKE VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:28:56 +0100

First national VQ Day takes place on Wednesday 23rd July

IfL offers sound financial results and vision for the future

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:39:37 +0100

The Institute for Learning (IfL) held its sixth annual general meeting in London on Tuesday 15 July 2008. Members asked a range of questions about professional development and the relationship between being a professional and how their work was valued and rewarded. One member offered a vote of thanks to IfL for arranging a good AGM, and another told IfL's new chief executive, Toni Fazaeli, that receiving her IfL membership certificate had been the proudest moment of her life &n ...

Concern over reoffending as Lewisham College ditches Belmarsh prison education

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:35:30 +0100

Lewisham College is to abandon the prison education and training courses which it operates at Belmarsh and Brixton prisons. The college took over the three year contract to run Offender Learning and Skills Service (OLASS) from July 2006, but has given notice to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), which oversees the OLASS programme, that it will terminate its contract from October. The college claims that inadequate LSC funding makes it impossible for it to continue ...

London Business College Presents Student Achievement Award

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:14:17 +0100

Celebrating the importance of vocational training, South Kensington-based college Quest Business Training has presented its prestigious Outstanding College Leaver 2008 award sponsored by Michael Page Secretarial to 20-year old Emily Thompson. The student from Petworth in West Sussex has been recognised for excelling in Quest’s 36-Week Diploma Course and for her professional attitude to business during her work experience placement. Quest Business Training (www.questcollege.co.uk) was for ...

Quality of teaching tops the list for international students

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:40:09 +0100

Quality of teaching is the single most important factor considered by international students when deciding where to study according to research published today by Study Group.

Biometrics removes barriers to lending and exam entry at Southport College

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:24:28 +0100

The use of biometrics is becoming widespread and can be controversial. However, Southport College has shown that it can provide real benefits and be popular with users too.

London South Bank Uni appoints 999 Design to new student marcomms brief

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:28:18 +0100

London South Bank University appoints 999 Design to deliver new student marketing communications LEADING UK-wide design consultancy, 999 Design, has been appointed to create London South Bank University’s student marketing communications for 2008/09. The new account win, which followed a competitive four-way pitch, will see 999 develop the University’s 72-page student handbook to be published at the end of July and targeted at new students. Additional key ...

Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College selects Computer Aid for WEEE compliant IT disposal

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:31:33 +0100

College donates 86 PCs to Environment Agency-approved charity Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College (EHWLC) has donated 86 PCs to Computer Aid International to ensure compliance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive through the charity’s professional decommissioning service. The PCs donated by EHWLC will be fully refurbished by Computer Aid and used to provide at least four years of educational use by orphans in Zambia. ...

UCU calls for greater staff involvement in university climate efforts

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:27:58 +0100

The University and College Union (UCU) today (Thursday 3 July) congratulated universities doing the most to combat climate change but urged all universities to step up the involvement of staff and students in their efforts. The union called for a carbon reduction strategy on every campus based on university consultation with staff unions and student representatives. UCU was responding to the Green League table published today by the student campaigning organisation ...

BCS launches e-learning specialist group in Second Life

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:26:21 +0100

As e-learning continues to expand at a pace, the British Computer Society (BCS) is establishing an e-learning specialist group to provide leadership and direction. The group will hold regular meetings in virtual worlds such as Second Life. With technology embedded in almost every aspect of 21st century life, citizens need to be digitally literate. E-learning provides a solution for those who cannot access colleges and schools – in 2006 nearly 3.5million students* were pa ...

North-West student wins top LSC Award

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:26:49 +0100

The winners of the Cheshire and Warrington leg of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) North West Learner Awards were announced at a glittering awards ceremony at the Park Royal Hotel near Warrington, hosted by ITV’s Fiona Armstrong. Mid-Cheshire College’s National Diploma Art and Design student, Kate Mills from Middlewich, took the top prize in the ‘Further Education Award’ category. This award is to acknowledge and celebrate exceptional achievem ...

JOCK THE SHIPS CAT TELLS TALES OF THE TALL SHIP IN EDUCATION PACKAGE

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 09:46:17 +0100

Jock the Cat is the ‘purrfect’ star of an innovative education package telling tales of the history of Glasgow’s Tall Ship, the Glenlee. The animated cat – based on the Glenlee’s own resident ship’s cat - is the invention of Motherwell College student Jillian Doig and will appear in a new multi media pack soon to be available to schools across Scotland. It is hoped Jock will follow in ‘pawsteps’ of other famous cartoon cats ...

Filton College help the construction sector turn green!!!

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:46:59 +0100

Filton College help the construction sector turn green!!! Filton has forged a new relationship with the training and certification body, BPEC who provide training solutions across the Building Services Engineering Sector, to offer new courses tailored for green energy programmes which will commence from September 2008. The courses are to aid measures which are part of Gordon Brown's aim to make all new homes "zero-carbon" by 2016 and to meet a target for Britain to obtain 20 per cen ...

UKs first qualification in podcasting launched by NCFE

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:52:47 +0100

It’s one of the fastest growing methods of communication, increasingly becoming a key part of modern day culture, and now national qualification provider NCFE is launching the first qualification – in podcasting.

CERTIFIED MEMBERSHIP OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR LEARNING TECHNOLOGY BOOSTED BY JISC'S SUPPORT

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:57:26 +0100

CERTIFIED MEMBERSHIP OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR LEARNING TECHNOLOGY BOOSTED BY JISC’S SUPPORT The Association for Learning Technology (http://www.alt.ac.uk) estimates that there are several thousand people employed in the UK with learning technology as a core part of their role. Learning technology practitioners can gain recognition for their professional experience and capability in learning technology through ALT’s national accredita ...

A Cut Above the Rest, using NCFEs unique accreditation scheme

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:03:27 +0100

McDonalds, Flybe and Network Rail did it and now a north east businesswoman is following suit - launching her own nationally recognised work-based training programme.

ASC Response to Building the Curriculum 3

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:57:40 +0100

The Association of Scotland’s Colleges (ASC) has welcomed today’s publication of the third stage of the Curriculum for Excellence (Building the Curriculum 3) and the announcement of the major consultation on the “Next Generation of National Qualifications in Scotland” at the More Choices, More Chances Conference. Responding to discussions affecting the future of all young people in Scotland at today’s Conference, Sue Pinder, Convenor of the ASC Principal’s ...

PRINCIPAL TELLS A TORY ABOUT COLLEGE

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:56:00 +0100

LEADER of the Conservative Party David Cameron met Doncaster College Principal Rowland Foote as the politician delivered the second annual Relate Institute lecture. Mr Cameron spoke about the importance of families during his 30-minute speech at the Royal Geographic Society in London on Wednesday, June 9. Before the speech, the leader of the opposition met with College Principal Rowland Foote who spoke about the College’s Hub and High Melton campuses as well as the long-term plan to ...

RADICAL CHANGE IN SCHOOLS FUNDING NEEDED - Lib Dems

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:48:29 +0100

Commenting on today’s IFS report that reveals local authorities are not spending money allocated for deprived children correctly, Liberal Democrat Shadow Children, Schools and Families Secretary, David Laws said: "This report makes the clearest possible case for a radical change to Britain’s system of funding schools. "We need a fairer way to make sure that extra spending is getting through to those schools which most need the money. "This research supports the case ...

STUDENTS CELEBRATE ACHIEVEMENTS AT AWARDS CEREMONY

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:46:48 +0100

Food and Hospitality students at Edinburgh’s Telford College had their hard work recognised at their end of term awards ceremony this week. Awards were presented to students on both the Pathways and Food and Hospitality courses, with 24-year-old student Maria Stirling from Pilton, Edinburgh receiving a special ‘Student of the Year’ award for her achievements. Maria, who has learning difficulties, first came to Telford aged 17, where she completed a variety of Pathways Hos ...

New website supports partnerships in community languages

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:41:56 +0100

The launch of the website for Our Languages, a groundbreaking initiative funded by the DCSF, takes place today at the third CILT Community Languages National Conference in Sheffield. The new website, hosted by CILT, the National Centre for Languages, provides vital information and support for community languages teachers and managers in the UK. Content includes video clips showing best practice, case studies, useful links and training and event information. Key features include a database of ...

INVERNESS COLLEGE STUDENT SCOOPS FIRST PRIZE AT SKILLBUILD

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:39:38 +0100

Inverness College UHI is celebrating the success of one of their students in the Skillbuild Scotland competition. Apprentice bricklayer Alan Falconer, 19, of Lochardil, Inverness won the Junior Skillbuild competition for Brickwork. Alan triumphed over eighteen competitors to win the event, which was held at Dumfries and Galloway College on Wednesday 28th May. This latest win rounds off a successful term for the Construction School at Inverness College. Earlier this year, a team of four HND s ...

Schools urged to bring serious message to language day celebrations

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:43:04 +0100

Teachers and careers advisors are being urged to use the European Day of Languages on 26 September to highlight to teenagers the benefits of languages and the range of careers where language skills are an advantage. CILT’s Celebrate, Educate, Appreciate campaign seeks to give them the information and resources needed to convey positive messages about languages: www.cilt.org.uk/edl/cea.htm CILT, the National Centre for Languages wants this year’s activities for teenagers to draw on ...

Retail qualifications to be overhauled

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:41:07 +0100

Retail qualifications are set to be easier to understand after a Skillsmart Retail strategy to reform them was approved. The plan to streamline all retail qualifications, The Sector Qualifications Strategy for Retail, was agreed by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) this month. It could mean an end to the current complex qualifications system and see an increase in the number of employees gaining recognised qualifications that benefit employers. Among the changes that t ...

Fair funding system needed to tackle school budget cuts - Clegg

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:37:47 +0100

Thousands of schools across the country are facing real terms budget cuts and need a new fair funding system if they are to deliver high quality education to all children regardless of their background, Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg said today. Delivering a speech to the IPPR think-tank, Nick Clegg revealed new Liberal Democrat research showing that: · Over a third of schools, equivalent to around 7,700 schools, are seeing cuts in their real per pupil funding · Fundi ...

First Minister Urges Welsh Universities To Compete With London And Oxbridge

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:19:30 +0100

First Minister For Wales Urges Welsh Universities To Compete With London And Oxbridge Speaking at the launch of the Wales International Study Centre (WISC) Rt Hon Rhodri Morgan AM, the First Minister for Wales, urged Welsh Universities and Higher Education Institutions to seize this opportunity to compete with the elite of UK universities as a destination for international students. He said: "This initiative will allow us to capitalise on the warm welcome Wales already extends to internat ...

College lecturers to strike in London on Monday as employers fail to deliver on pay

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:02:50 +0100

College lecturers in London, members of the University and College Union (UCU), will take strike action on Monday (9 June). And further action across England may follow in September if employers don’t improve their latest pay offer. The London lecturers will join a TUC lobby of MPs on Monday, in defence of public services. Yesterday the college employers' association (Association of Colleges, AoC) failed to make an acceptable offer to the six further education unions who are seeking a ...

Cosmonauts Encourage Doncaster Pupils

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 09:54:19 +0100

DONCASTER – WE DON’T HAVE A PROBLEM COSMONAUTS visiting Doncaster College have encouraged the town’s youngsters to achieve their dreams and go into space. Russian space experts Alexander Martynov and Alexander Volkov gave talks to 700 Year 9 pupils from secondary and special schools across the town at Doncaster Dome on Tuesday, June 3. The visit was designed to get youngsters interested in different aspects of science in relation to space travel. Youngsters listened ...

Grantham College students take up Territorial Army catering challenge

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 09:48:39 +0100

Grantham College catering students recently accepted a challenge laid down by the Territorial Army Students from the Hospitality and Catering department recently took accepted a challenge thrown down by the Territorial Army, and took part in an event at the town’s Prince William of Gloucester Barracks. A series of mental and physical tests followed, to test their grit and stamina – along with their cookery skills. The two day challenge saw the students taking part in activities ...

Making a success ... CEL and QIA summer conferences start 10 June 2008

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 09:44:02 +0100

The Centre for Excellence in Leadership (CEL) and the Quality Improvement Agency for Lifelong Learning (QIA) will host the first of four joint conferences in Bristol on Tuesday 10 June 2008. The Making a success conference programme is interactive and delivers a practical learning experience focusing on what works in quality improvement and leadership development. There will also be the opportunity to hear about and provide feedback on the early stages of the development of the new sect ...

Science Museum Specialists Set Strike Date

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 09:38:36 +0100

Over 200 curators, conservators, technical staff and managers employed by the National Museum of Science and Industry (NMSI) have set Friday June 13 as the first in a series of one-day strikes in protest over the imposition of an “insulting” pay deal. The staff, represented by the Prospect union, voted overwhelmingly by 83% in favour of strike action and 91% in favour of action short of a strike. The result will see members walk out at NMSI’s sites – the Science Mus ...

First Minister Addresses ASCS Annual Conference

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 09:36:25 +0100

The Association of Scotland’s Colleges (ASC) today welcomed The First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond MSP, as keynote speaker at its annual conference in St Andrews. The First Minister’s visit marks the first time a First Minister or Secretary of State has addressed an ASC conference. The First Minister addressed an audience of Governors, Chief Executives and senior management from across Scotland’s Colleges. The theme of this year’s conference explored the public v ...

English Language Certifications Break Through Million Mark In Year

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:11:12 +0100

TAGALOG SPEAKERS AND GERMANS SCORE BEST For the first time ever in a single 12 month period, more than one million people around the world (or two every minute) have gained certification in the world’s most popular English language test for immigration and higher education - The International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Topping the results league table were those whose first language was Tagalog - spoken in the Philippines - with an overall score of 6.57 1 across the fou ...

Sky-High Salaries Fail To Please UK Workers

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:22:51 +0100

As UK workers face rising living costs and ever-longer working hours, they are sending a surprising message to their employers: the size of payslips does not guarantee happiness and fulfilment at work. According to the fifth annual City & Guilds Happiness Index published today, financial rewards are not the answer to job satisfaction. Instead, having an interest in what you do for a living is the number one factor for ensuring on-the-job contentment. Happiness levels remain constant ...

Spinning a Tale of Success

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:20:44 +0100

Newbattle Abbey College and the Scottish Storytelling Centre have joined forces to offer the first ever professional qualification in storytelling skills. The new qualification, which will be accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority, will be available from September this year. Scotland has a rich ancient tradition of oral storytelling, and the art-form has undergone a revival in recent years. There are currently around 110 professional storytellers living and working in Scotl ...

CEL announces first ten to pass Principals qualifying programme

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:16:21 +0100

The Centre for Excellence in Leadership (CEL) is pleased to announce that ten candidates have successfully completed and achieved the Principals qualifying programme, just 12 months after they started the programme. They are the first to meet the rigorous requirements of this innovative and developmental assessment process. The programme arises from the government’s reform of further education and training, and is intended to support principals and chief executives in leadin ...

Skills investment will offer retail boost

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:14:44 +0100

Charlie Mayfield and David Lammy MP address top retailers and MPs ‘Investing in skills will strengthen UK retail.’ This will be the message from John Lewis Partnership Chairman Charlie Mayfield and Skills Minister David Lammy as they address top retailers and MPs at a Skillsmart Retail parliamentary event on Thursday (June 5). The pair will urge retailers at Retail: A skilled future to continue to invest in training during the current tough economic climate in order to ma ...

Poorest Areas Have Least Qualified Teachers Say Lib Dems

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:11:45 +0100

Children in the poorest areas of the country are least likely to be taught by well-qualified teachers, a Government survey published today has revealed. Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Children, Schools and Families Secretary, David Laws said: "These deeply disturbing figures indicate that not only is there a need for more highly qualified teachers, but there is a particular shortage of the best qualified teachers in the toughest schools. "It’s no wonder that many young pe ...

Qualified divers needed to help find marine reserves

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:07:47 +0100

The British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) – the Governing Body that trains, protects and represents scuba divers and snorkellers – is calling for more divers to join its clubs and help preserve the UK’s unique waters. BSAC is encouraging lapsed divers, divers who have learnt on holiday and those who have trained and qualified elsewhere, to sign up for its Go Dive with BSAC campaign. This introduces qualified divers – regardless of where they qualified or who they trained ...

NUS: Higher education participation rates are "a damning indictment of Government policy"

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:05:36 +0100

In response to the Higher Education Statistics Agency's publication of UK Performance Indicators in Higher Education today, NUS President Gemma Tumelty said: "These figures show that, after the Government introduced top-up fees, participation rates in higher education went down across the board. In England, for example, the number of people entering higher education went down by over 15,000 from 2005/6 to 2006/7. "The Government will want to pull the wool over our eyes by pointin ...

Decline in Computing Students Is 'Potentially Disastrous Situation', According to UK Academics

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:57:04 +0100

CPHC Report – A Study on the IT labour market in the UK The Council of Professors and Heads of Computing in the UK (CPHC) announces the launch of a new report , entitled “A Study on the IT labour market in the UK”, commissioned by CPHC through the British Computer Society (BCS) and carried out by Research Insights Ltd, a market survey organisation. This report highlights the growing gap between the number of students successfully completing UK Higher Education Computing awar ...

Training providers share insights on IT user skills at ITQ conference

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:43:38 +0100

Training providers share insights on IT user skills at ITQ conference More than 300 IT training providers came together at the QEII conference centre in central London to share best practice and innovation at e-skills UK's annual ITQ conference on 29th May. ITQ is a flexible qualification which enables those who use IT to develop the skills most relevant to their particular needs. The conference explored the impact ITQ can have on business pr ...

New Regional Chair for Learning and Skills Council

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:36:24 +0100

Press Information ...

Childcare students support Relay For Life

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:12:26 +0100

Childcare students support Relay For Life A team of over 30 childcare students from NewcastleCollege are to once again take part in an all-night relay to raise money for Cancer Research UK. The charity’s 10th annual Relay For Life in Stoke-on-Trent will be held at Northwood Stadium on Saturday 14 June. The 24-hour event aims to bring people together to celebrate the lives of those who have survived cancer, remember those who have passed away and honour the courage of their loved on ...

A new powerful voice for over 750,000 teachers

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:50:50 +0100

A new powerful voice for over 750,000 teachers on teacher education On Thursday 5 June at the House of Commons, Kate Hoey MP will host a reception to celebrate the re-launch of the Standing Committee for the Education and Training of Teachers (SCETT)* as the most powerful voice on teacher education in Britain. Professor Dennis Hayes, who represents the University and College Union on the SCETT Committee, said The trade unions and professional assoc ...

New Vocational Qualifications Give UK Students a Head Start in Healthy Living

Fri, 30 May 2008 15:17:14 +0100

Helping learners across the UK to reap the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle, leading awarding body Education Development International (EDI plc), www.ediplc.com, has launched a brand new Level 1 Award in Healthy Living. Designed not only to help learners increase their physical activity, but also understand its importance in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, this new Vocationally Related Qualification (VRQ) is available to all learners over the age of 14. A viable alternative to GCSE PE ...

EDI launches The Project qualification for 14-19 year olds

Fri, 30 May 2008 15:15:14 +0100

The Project is a new qualification available for 14-19 year olds from leading awarding body and assessment specialist, Education Development International (EDI), www.ediplc.com. The Project forms a compulsory part of the new 14-19 Diploma qualification but is also available as an accredited qualification in its own right, helping prepare students for further study, higher education or the workplace. Available to schools, colleges and other centres from September 2008, the qualification enables l ...

Pan London 2 beneficiary wins national award

Fri, 30 May 2008 14:39:42 +0100

Ex policeman retrains as gym instructor and wins national award Paul McNeill was presented with the Outstanding Regional Learner of the Year Award for London at the Adult Learners' Week National Awards Ceremony held on 19th May. He also received an award at the London Adult Learners' Week Regional Award Ceremony. ...

Additional support for those that support

Fri, 30 May 2008 09:47:42 +0100

Organisations are to be offered greater help to build effective support networks following the launch of a new range of advice and guidance awards from national qualification provider NCFE.

Workplace Learning is a Recipe for Success

Tue, 27 May 2008 19:28:44 +0100

Staff at the Jamie Oliver inspired restaurant Fifteen Cornwall – which was recently crowned the ‘Taste of England’ – have successfully completed a unique training programme thanks to national qualification provider NCFE and Evolution Personal and Corporate Development Ltd. ...

NCFEs customer service shines in NVQ market

Tue, 27 May 2008 19:26:25 +0100

Leading national qualification provider NCFE has joined the NVQ market, launching a new range of NVQs that promise to be the easiest to deliver in the country.

It is Rocket Science

Fri, 23 May 2008 11:56:34 +0100

SCHOOLCHILDREN across Doncaster will finally get to meet space experts after Russian cosmonauts stepped in to save the day.

First Class Apprentices and Employers Celebrated at East Midlands Awards Ceremony

Thu, 22 May 2008 11:25:54 +0100

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) East Midlands hosted its Regional Apprenticeship Awards on Tuesday 20th May to celebrate the achievements of skilled and talented young people, and dynamic and passionate employers across the region.

Record breaking results for Yale College

Mon, 19 May 2008 14:36:19 +0100

Record breaking results! Yale College confirmed as Outstanding by Government Inspectors with highest ever results in Wales for work based training! Yale College has had its reputation confirmed as one of the very best in the country, achieving eleven straight grade ones - the highest grade achievable - in its latest inspection by ESTYN (Her Majesty’s Inspectorate for Education and Training in Wales). ...

Making a Success

Sun, 18 May 2008 20:51:46 +0100

QIA/CEL SUMMER CONFERENCES 2008 - Be the first to hear from the new dynamic sector-led organisation A must-attend for those leading quality improvement, curriculum and leadership development in further education, the 2008 QIA and CEL summer conferences Making a success will set the scene for the new sector-led improvement organisation. ...

Barry College shortlisted for 3 fforwm awards

Tue, 13 May 2008 11:33:26 +0100

Three courses offered by Barry College have made it onto the shortlist for prestigious awards that recognise outstanding achievement, breadth of provision and collaborative working in the Welsh Further Education sector. The College’s Cardiff Construction Training Centre (CCTC), International Centre for Aerospace Training (ICAT) and innovative use of the Open College Network (OCN) have all been shortlisted for educational charity fforwm’s annual aw ...

Foundations taking shape for next stage of the £120m

Mon, 12 May 2008 15:07:33 +0100

Staff and students at Stoke on Trent College of Further Education are celebrating the realisation of years of planning as the first foundations are laid for the new £11m Centre of Vocational Excellence for Health and Social Care on the college’s Cauldon campus. This £11m building is the latest stage in the £120m rebuild of the Cauldon and Burslem campuses.

New East Midlands Director for Learning and Skills Council

Mon, 12 May 2008 12:44:04 +0100

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) East Midlands welcomes the arrival of its new regional director following the departure of Verity Bullough to fulfil a new post at LSC national office. Tom Crompton takes up the post following a series of promotions within the LSC leading to his previous role as area director of LSC County Durham and Tees Valley. ...

Proposed College Merger Consultation Gets Under Way

Fri, 09 May 2008 15:17:54 +0100

A full public consultation period has begun concerning the proposed merger of three Further Education colleges to create a single Further Education college for Nottingham by merging Castle College Nottingham, New College Nottingham and South Nottingham College.

Yorkshire Coast College Seeks Merger Partner

Thu, 08 May 2008 11:14:19 +0100

Joint Press Statement From Yorkshire Coast College and the Learning and Skills Council Issued Wednesday 7th May 2008 At a meeting of the Governing Body of Yorkshire Coast College on Tuesday 6th May 2008, Governors voted unanimously to seek a merger partner for the College in order to support the provision of the highest quality of vocational education and training in the Borough of Scarborough. ...

CQM Learning provide charitable support during Adult Learning Week

Wed, 07 May 2008 15:21:18 +0100

CQM Learning are eager to offer their support to Adult Learning Week by encouraging employers to develop their people along the NVQ route. As an added incentive to commit their staff to achieving vocational qualifications CQM Learning will donate £5 to the employer’s chosen for every individual they commit to NVQ training with their brokership. So an employer who agrees to commit 250 employees will receive a charity donation of £1,250.00. ...

LOCAL COLLEGE LECTURER SCOOPS NATIONAL AWARD

Wed, 07 May 2008 14:57:10 +0100

Kate Jessop, Multimedia lecturer at Mid-Cheshire College, has won the Femme Fantastique award at the London Short Film Festival for her film ‘When the telescope came’ -the only northwest filmmaker to win an award at the festival. She was also nominated for Best Experimental Short, for ‘On Miles Platting Station’, a Simon Armitage adaptation.

Groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate £100m regeneration scheme

Tue, 06 May 2008 09:14:46 +0100

Newcastle College is set to hold an official groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction work on its new campus and subsequent £100 million regeneration scheme.

Government blueprint to help the NEET group needs fundamental redesign, say vocational learning pr

Mon, 05 May 2008 13:07:34 +0100

Britain’s vocational learning providers are calling on the Government to rethink completely its proposed Foundation Learning Tier if it is to succeed in reducing the number of young people not in education, employment or training – the so-called NEET group. ...

New opportunities for small training providers

Fri, 02 May 2008 12:02:43 +0100

New opportunities for small training providers The Training Quality Standard (formerly the new standard) is an assessment framework and an assessment and certification process which has been designed to recognise and celebrate the best organisations delivering training and development solutions to employers. The standard has been designed to reflect employers’ priorities and expectations in sourcing training and development solutions, and the practices of the organ ...

Association for Learning Technology (ALT) appoints first Director of Development

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:47:39 +0100

Mark van Harmelen will join the Association for Learning Technology (ALT) as its first Director of Development in May. Dr van Harmelen gained his PhD in Computer Science at the University of Manchester, where he was formerly a Lecturer and a Research Fellow. Mark has also been a Cabinet appointee in South Africa, where he was responsible for aligning stakeholders and planning a national institute for ICT tasked with assisting in socio-economic change and later established as the Meraka Institut ...

Employers Pledge to up-skill the workforce

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:45:25 +0100

Local employers gathered at an event held by Mid-Cheshire College to learn of the benefits of up-skilling their workforce. New Government initiatives to assist continuous improvement to the labour market are available through work-based training schemes such as Train to Gain.

FIRST NATIONAL CELEBRATION OF VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS LAUNCHED

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:27:27 +0100

FIRST NATIONAL CELEBRATION OF VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS LAUNCHED. Colleges and learning providers invited to become involved Plans for the first day to celebrate vocational success have been launched at a Parliamentary reception. As new figures show that an estimated 17 million people in the UK (38 per cent) hold a vocational qualification, 'VQ Day' has been created to raise public awareness about the value of vocational qualifications. ...

ALTS LEARNING TECHNOLOGIST OF THE YEAR AWARDS closing date 8 May

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:22:51 +0100

ALT’S LEARNING TECHNOLOGIST OF THE YEAR AWARDS – closing date 8 May (not 1st as previously stated) £3800 prize fund available Entries for the 2008 Learning Technologist of the Year award are now open. This is the second year that the Association for Learning Technology (http://www.alt.ac.uk) has run the awards, which celebrate and reward excellent practice and outstanding achievement in the learning technology field - th ...

e-skills UK invites input to new strategic plan

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:04:14 +0100

e-skills UK today released a consultation for its five year strategic plan for England, seeking input from employers, educationalists and other stakeholders with an interest in the UK's IT & Telecoms skills base. ...

PRESS RELEASE: Exeter College student brews up a storm to win Tetley Tea ad contest [Scanned]

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:12:55 +0100

PRESS RELEASE 24/4/08 Exeter College student brews up a storm to win Tetley Tea ad contest By Angelina Lambourn, Public Relations Officer, 01392 205834 AN Exeter College student’s advert about the joys of having a cuppa could be shown on national TV. ...

First Minister for Wales opens new £5m engineering and construction centre at Yale College

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:09:24 +0100

First Minister for Wales opens NEW £5M ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION CENTRE at Yale College The Right Hon Rhodri Morgan AM, First Minister for Wales, today officially opened Yale College’s new £5m Engineering and Construction Centre. The opening ceremony was attended by students, staff and over 100 guests including senior ranking politicians and educational specialists who applauded as Rhodri Morgan unveiled the plaque. Funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, the ...

JISC funding facilitates 50% reduction on Certified Membership of the Association for Learning Techn

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:23:00 +0100

JISC funding FACILITATES 50% REDUCTION ON certified MembersHIP of the Association for Learning Technology The Association for Learning Technology (http://www.alt.ac.uk) is launching a 50 per cent reduction on certification fees for learning technology practitioners applying to become Certified Members of the Association. The limited offer applies to applications received up to 31 July 2008 and is part-funded by a grant from the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) e-Learning Prog ...

Merseyside Hairdressing Forum website latest update

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:06:45 +0100

The hair and beauty training sector on Merseyside has its own forum listing all the latest news and events

Childrens safety at forefront of new qualification

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 10:46:13 +0100

A new qualification has been launched to help childcare providers protect children and young people from harmful situations, including dangerous use of the internet.

CALL FOR ENTRIES FOR ASSOCATION FOR LEARNING TECHNOLOGYS LEARNI NG TECHNOLOGIST OF THE YEAR AWARD

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:14:40 +0100

ALT™S LEARNING TECHNOLOGIST OF THE YEAR AWARDS closing date 1 May £3800 prize fund available ...

Demand for higher level skills from businesses a 'Known Unknown'

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:20:20 +0100

DEMAND FOR HIGHER LEVEL SKILLS FROM BUSINESSES A ‘KNOWN UNKNOWN’ Policymakers and higher education providers must develop a better understanding of the demand for higher level skills from business if they are to meet ambitious skills and productivity targets, new research has found. The report, ‘Known unknowns: the demand for higher level skills from businesses’, is published this month by independent think-tank CFE. ...

Recycling's a winner at Barry College

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:50:48 +0100

Reverse recycling’s a winner at Barry College Many people can remember earning a little extra pocket money by depositing their empty bottles, but Barry College learner Jordan Vatsaloo has won himself a shiny new iPod. Barry College’s reverse recycling bottle bank – the first in a Welsh college - has proved extremely popular with learners. Anyone depositing a bottle receives tickets which can be used to buy food and drink in the College refectory. &ldquo ...

Press release: 08 workshop gives young people unique insight into modern art

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:48:05 +0100

PRESS NEWS Issued: Wednesday 16th April 08 workshop gives young people unique insight into modern art Eight young people have had their eyes and minds opened to the world of modern art thanks to a unique workshop held at Tate Liverpool. ...

Minister highlights Barry College's role in Defence Academy

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:36:08 +0100

Minister highlights Barry College’s role in Defence Academy Barry College and other Further and Higher Education institutions will play a key role in the development of the new Defence Training Academy at RAF St Athan. That was the message from Deputy Minister for Skills John Griffiths during a recent visit to the college’s prestigious International Centre for Aerospace Training (ICAT). “I am looking forward to seeing future joint wo ...

Academy players trialled by Nike Football

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:59:05 +0100

Academy players trialled by Nike Football Students at the MMU Football Academy in association with Newcastle College are to be tested by sports giant Nike Football in a bid to find the fastest footballer in the country. The Nike Mercurial Speed Test will take place on Wednesday 16 April at 10.30am on the sports field at MMU Cheshire’s Alsager Campus. Around 40 students will be put through their paces by Nike representatives to see who is fastest in a 45 meter sprint and wh ...

Student awards to reach new heights

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:07:16 +0100

A search to find the UK’s star student has been launched by leading national qualification provider NCFE.

Majority believe young people can be taught to be better citizens.

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:18:53 +0100

A new poll by leading national qualification provider NCFE has revealed that 81 per cent of people believe that citizenship skills can be taught in the classroom. NCFE carried out the survey at www.ncfe.org.uk, which receives more than 20,000 visits per month, asking colleges, training providers and students throughout the UK “Do you think you can teach young people to be better citizens?” ...

£10 Million Opportunity at Eastleigh College

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:13:27 +0100

Mark Haysom, Chief Executive of the Learning & Skills Council officially opened Eastleigh College’s brand new £10 million technology facility on Friday to an audience of invited guests including Chris Huhne MP, Lord & Lady Chidegy and Roger Smith, the Mayor of Eastleigh.

Launch of Occupational Studies 'Agriculture' Units

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:18:01 +0100

Occupational Studies ‘Agriculture’ units have been developed in line with the recognised skills gaps for the land-based disciplines, supported by CCEA and Lantra. At the recent launch of the Occupational Studies ‘Agriculture Units’ at Greenmount College, Liz Pridgeon, Lantra’s Development Manager for Standards and Qualifications provided an overview of Lantra’s role within standards and qualifications. “There is a need to improve entry routes to ...

Wimba to Expand Possibilities at FE Institution

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:18:29 +0100

Wimba, the education technology company that helps people teach people, announced that an additional Further Education institution in the United Kingdom has become a user of Wimba’s full suite of innovative education technologies. ...

Further education staff asked to get involved in unique online experiment

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:31:22 +0100

FURTHER EDUCATION STAFF ASKED TO HELP DEFINE THEIR SECTOR IN UNIQUE ONLINE EXPERIMENT Further education staff are being invited to contribute to a new collaborative glossary for their sector, available exclusively through the Excellence Gateway (http://excellence.qia.org.uk/). The glossary makes use of a ‘wiki’ system, most well known in the form of the online Wikipedia encyclopaedia, and allows anyone working in further education to contribute their views on how common terms ...

COLLEGE LECTURER TURNS EXPLORER FOR ICY ADVENTURE

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:20:18 +0100

An adventure-seeking Sports and Exercise Lecturer at Inverness College UHI will spend a month battling sub-zero temperatures and dodging polar bears as he prepares for the trek of a lifetime across the Greenland icecap. John Coogans and a team of ten, which includes Inverness College Forestry student Fraser Philip, will leave in August to trek 450 miles across some of the world’s harshest terrain. ...

TechnologyOne Selected for the Institute of Education

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:14:34 +0100

Following a comprehensive procurement process, TechnologyOne has been selected to supply and install a completely new finance, procurement, business intelligence and reporting solution software package for the Institute of Education (IoE), one of the principal colleges of the University of London. The company’s FinancialsOne software solution is replacing the IoE’s existing hybrid financial packages. ...

TIMMS: EMPLOYMENT AT A NEW RECORD HIGH

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 19:56:27 +0100

Figures out today show the number of people in employment has increased to a new record high of 29.46 million. At the same time the numbers claiming Jobseekers Allowance continues to fall for the seventeenth consecutive month, remaining the lowest claimant count for 32 years.

Trade unionists show Solidarity with migrant workers

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 13:50:26 +0100

Unionlearn (the TUC’s learning and skills organisation) staff, along with trade unionists from the South West, are visiting Gdansk, Poland as guests of the Polish trade union Solidarity. The multi-union group, who all work with Polish migrant workers will discuss reasons for the recent mass migration and how they can further understand its dynamics. ...

EDINBURGH ADVENTURE FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 13:46:40 +0100

Sport lecturers at Edinburgh’s Telford College are offering businesses the chance to take part in a team-building challenge with a difference – a treasure hunt around some of the Capital’s most famous landmarks.