Project: Information, Advice and Guidance

Topic: Careers
Date: November 2006
Source: Sector Skills Development Agency

Overview:

A group of 12 Sector Skills Councils (SSC) have been collaborating on a project to improve careers information, advice and guidance (IAG) in their respective sectors. This project, called 'Bringing industry and IAG services together', has just concluded and received a positive evaluation.

Through the project, several initiatives were developed and piloted to promote SSC Labour Market Information (LMI) and to support careers practitioners in sourcing, using and interpreting LMI. This includes:

• up-to-date LMI from the 12 Sector Skills Councils;
• regional workshops for careers advisers to show them how to access LMI; and
• an online learning resource for advisers is also being developed.

ETB linked activity:

It is noteworthy that the critical factor that emerges from all ETB research regardless of topic is provision of robust and independent careers information, advice and guidance. The ETB has, with partners, created a 16+ careers site at www.scenta.co.uk/careers which provides a number of different audiences, ranging from careers advisers, students at college and school as well as university, with a unified online resource on careers in STEM.

In addition, the ETB has recently launched enginuity, in both online and printed material formats, to reach out to young people who currently fall below the age range of scenta and who may have a limited understanding of the applications and scope of engineering as a subject. The printed material includes a colourful poster which is to be displayed in classrooms. The poster draws attention to the wide range of different applications that engineering is used in and is developed from comments and feedback from a range of engineering partner institutions via the ETB’s principle careers forum, the Careers Advisory Panel.

Further information:

For the evaluation of the IAG project click here.
For Labour Market Information click here.

Report: Prosperity for all in the global economy world class skills

Topic: Skills
Date: December 2006
Source: HM Treasury

Overview:

This key Review focuses on adult skills, the development of which continues to constitute a major policy challenge. The Review found that even if current targets to improve skills are to be met, the UK's skills base will still lag behind that of many comparator countries. It sets out ambitious goals for 2020 which if achieved would make the UK a world leader in skills.

• 95% of adults to achieve basic skills of functional literacy and numeracy (up from 85% and 79% respectively in 2005)
• More than 90% of adults qualified to at least level 2 (increase from 69% in 2005)
• Improvement in intermediate skills to 1.9 million additional level 3 attainments and boosting number of apprenticeships to 500,000 a year
• More than 40% of adults qualified to level 4 and above (up from 29% in 2005)

ETB linked activity:

Employers and individual learners should take heed of the Reviews recommendation as to who pays for learning:

The Review recommends a much clearer financial balance of responsibility, based on clear principles of Government funding to be targeted at market failure and responsibility shared according to economic benefit. To meet additional investment the Review states that:

• the Government should provide the bulk of funding for basic skills and the platform of skills for employability, with employers cooperating to ensure employees are able to achieve these skills;
• for higher intermediate skills (Level 3) employers and individuals should make a much higher contribution, in the order of at least 50 per cent; and
• at Level 4 and above, individuals and employers should pay the bulk of the additional costs as they will benefit most.
 

Further information:

The report can be downloaded from the HM Treasury website.
 

Consultation: Personalising Further Education - Developing a Vision

Topic: Skills
Date: November 2006
Source: Department for Education and Skills
 

Overview:

This consultation paper draws on research including interviews with learners, colleges and other stakeholders, to initiate a consultation on what a shared vision for personalisation might be in the FE system.

In an educational setting, this personalisation means working in partnership with the learner and employer – to tailor their learning pathways, according to their needs and personal objectives.

The consultation focuses on:

• key elements of personalisation;
• successful approaches that can be more widely applied; and
• what more needs to be done if we are to reap the full benefits of personalising learning.

ETB linked activity:

ETB’s first skills conference in October 2006 highlighted the huge potential of the Further Education sector to work closely with employer partners at regional and local level in order to provide qualifications and pathways that are appropriate for a diverse range of individuals. Nevertheless, true personalisation is still an ambitious challenge which will require the ‘will’ of government departments, funding bodies and other skills related agencies.

Further information:

To find out more on DfES website.
 

 
Launch: Skills Academies

Topic: Skills
Date: November 2006
Source: DfES
 

Overview:

The Department of Education & Skills announced last month the launch of the first three National Skills Academies to drive up the standard of industry training, improve productivity and tackle skills shortages across England. The first that have been approved are in Financial Services, Construction, and Manufacturing.

This launch marks the start of an employer-led, National Skills Academy network to provide vocational education and training for school leavers and adults. Employers are at the heart of this development, giving them a real say in how the Academies are run, including:

• Influencing the curriculum to ensure it reflects their needs
• Determining what network of providers they want to work with
• Getting involved in the management of the academies
• Shaping their strategic direction
 

ETB linked activity:

ETB welcomes the academies but cautions that it will be crucial that these academies are led by industry and industry demand and needs. Our own Foundation Degree research clearly showed that those courses where employer engagement was strongest and obtained at the outset delivered better courses and vocationally trained students.
 

Further information:

Details on Skills Academies can be found on their website.

 
National Science and Engineering Week

In March 2007, The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) is expanding the UK’s National Science Week programme to become National Science and Engineering Week. In partnership with the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB) the BA will broaden the scale and scope of the programme to celebrate the vital contribution that engineering makes to society.

Engineering organisations or engineers who are interested in getting involved in or promoting National Science and Engineering Week 2007 should contact Stuart Robinson (srobinson@etechb.co.uk) for further information.
 

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