Motor industry clocks up over 30,000 SkillMiles
A pioneering way of recognising contributions to skills development in the automotive sector has seen more than 100 businesses plus another 100 individuals sign up. The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), www.motor.org.uk/skillmiles SkillMiles scheme awards points to individuals and businesses helping to support the Institute's work in raising skill levels.
Sarah Sillars, IMI chief executive, said: "The SkillMiles scheme was devised to offer a meaningful way of acknowledging the efforts of employers and individuals in driving forward skills development. We're delighted that so many businesses have already signed up to play their part and have their contribution recognised."

Apprentice of the year demonstrates leadership skills
Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) learner Claire Harrison has been named National Apprentice of the Year in the annual Apprenticeship Awards. The awards reward apprentices who have exceeded their employer's expectations and whose contribution to the workplace has brought demonstrable business benefits. The 21-year-old, who works for Dales Pharmaceuticals in Skipton, North Yorkshire, completed her apprenticeship in Team Leading with the North Lancs Training Group. It is the second year running that the ILM-accredited North Lancs Training Group has trained the winner of the National Apprentice of the Year and in both cases the winners have been supported in their studies by training officer Donna Coleman. “The ILM apprenticeships really challenge the students,” Coleman said. “Claire has proved to be an extremely positive apprentice embracing the ethos of the apprenticeship to achieve her objectives and goals. She has proved she has the skills needed to become an outstanding team leader.”

UK managers have gloomier outlook than Australian counterparts
Australian managers are more optimistic about their organisations performance with 65.5% feeling that their organisation is growing compared to 48.7% in the UK. The report, by the http://www.managers.org.uk/ Chartered Management Institute and the Australian Institute of Management, found Australians were also more positive about their role, with 71.2% saying they were satisfied with their job against 62.2% of managers in the UK. Conversely, UK managers work fewer hours and have less health problems than their Australian counterparts. Managers here averaged 46.4 hours per week compared to 45.6 in Australia. Both sets of managers felt the long hours culture had a range of impacts on their health and Australian managers suffered more ill-health, including back pain, stomach bugs, influenza and viral infections than UK managers. The survey was based on 2,500 respondents.