Brown Spells Out Commitment to Skills
Chancellor Gordon Brown reiterated his vision for a high-skills Britain, this week.Speaking at the TUC Conference in Brighton, Brown said that skills were essential to Britain remaining competitive on the global stage. “It is because increasingly it is the skills of working people that gives companies value and gives nations comparative advantage, that new principles […]
UK Skills at Risk from Complacent Bosses
Complacent employers are ignoring the training and skills needs of their staff and could pose a long-term threat to the UK’s economy, according to a major new study. Three in five employers admit that problems are looming as the workforce ages while the level of training remains static, according to the report, commissioned by Skills […]
Trainer’s Tip: Conflict Resolution
How do you prevent a difference in opinion becoming a full-scale conflict? Rich Lucas has some advice. I’m an approved self protection instructor, we deal with conflict resolution with an ABC methodA – Avoid conflict if possible, prevention is the best cure.B – Breathe deeply, don’t take it personally or get upset.C – Control your […]
Employers Commit to Training as Skills Shortages Bite
Nearly all employers feel that skills shortages are having a negative impact on their business, according to research from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).The survey, of 1,000 UK employers, found that 86% said that shortages had impacted on performance over the past 12 months. A third of employers described this negative impact as “serious”.The […]
UK Management Skills Gap with Europe
Formal management qualifications in the UK do not necessarily result in effective management skills, according to a study into management training and development in Europe. The six-country comparative study supported by the European Union, by authors at Brunel University and Birkbeck College also found that despite this shortcoming, human resources and development managers in the […]
Trainer’s Tip: Serving Up Time Management
This week’s tip from TrainingZONE member Myrta Stager, to be used at the start of a session on time management, demonstrates just how much delegates have on their plates. For an activity to demonstrate how much your audience has “on their plate”, provide each participant a paper plate and a stack of sticky notes. Pick […]
Bosses Cite Importance of Stress Management
The skills to manage stress effectively are crucial for a successful business career, according to two-thirds of bosses questioned in a new survey.The study by communications consultancy the Aziz Corporation found that most managers (92%) felt that placing staff under a certain degree of pressure could have positive results, ensuring that targets and deadlines are […]
Feature: Feedback Culture – Avoiding the Blame Game
If you are training staff to give feedback but not how to receive it, you may be storing up more problems than you are solving, according to Clare Hollett, Managing Consultant at Blue Sky Consulting. Feedback culture are business buzz words at the moment. Everyone wants it, some even say they’ve got it, but in […]
Hilton University Proves its Worth
Hotel company Hilton International has found a significant link between employee development and reduced staff turnover. In a survey completed by 1,854 employees across all parts of Hilton International’s business worldwide, 37% felt that being offered development opportunities is the most important factor in them deciding to continue their career with Hilton. A further 50% […]
Tricks of the Trade: Speed Reading
In the third instalment of our Tricks of the Trade series, Clive Lewis, MD of Illumine, highlights why speed reading is so valuable in business. Click here to read part one: The Ultimate Aides Memoire and read part two: Mind Maps here. Why do we need to speed read? Aren’t we under enough pressure at […]
ALI Inspectors Report on Training Down Under
Inspectors from the Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI) believe that Britain has lessons to learn from vocational and educational training in Australia.ALI staff, together with colleagues from the Department for Education and Skills, the Learning and Skills Council, the Sector Skills Development Agency and Qualifications and Curriculums Authority, spent two weeks visiting training providers, colleges, federal […]
LSC Builds Links with Big Brother Winner
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is supporting Big Brother’s Craig Phillips in his new venture to help address Liverpool’s construction skills gap. More than 8,000 extra construction workers are needed in Liverpool to complete vital building work before 2008, when the city will host the European Capital of Culture, according to a report by […]
The Way I See It… Escape the Stress Trap
Coach Graham Alexander reveals the secrets to achieving a more palatable work/life balance highlighting two examples of senior executives who managed to escape the stress trap. There is no escaping stress in the workplace. In the UK, we are now working longer hours than ever before, juggling work commitments, families, friends and fitness – the […]
Skills Dominates Global Business Agenda
Attracting and retaining skilled staff ranks highest on executive agendas for 2005, according to a global study by Accenture.The study interviewed 425 senior executives at leading organisations in North America, Europe and Asia to identify and prioritise the issues of greatest concern to senior management.Workforce improvement issues dominated the top priorities, making up four of […]
Institue of Financial Services Moves to E-learning
The Institute of Financial Services (ifs) is set to offer mortgage advisers the chance to maintain competence online. In response to the Financial Services Authority’s expanding regulatory framework, the Institute is moving ongoing competency courseware to e-learning. The IFS says the move is to satisfy demand for a system that can be continually updated to […]
Case Study: Leadership at the Legal Services Commission
The Legal Services Commission has put leadership within its organisation firmly on the agenda, with a development programme designed for its top managers. Such has been the success that a similar scheme for middle managers considered as having high-potential. The Legal Services Commission, the public body which is responsible for legal aid, is running a […]
Finance Staff Say Training Would Improve Work Efficiency
Most financial staff believe that more frequent and relevant training would transform the way their department operates, a new study claims.The study, commissioned by secure payments provider Voca, found that 80% of financial staff believed that better training would benefit their work.There was also complaint about the overall lack of training offered by firms. Less […]
Training Group Gets Top Scores
A not-for profit Greater Manchester training group is unique in being awarded five top ratings by the Adult Learning Inspectorate.Employment and Regeneration Partnership (ERP), part of the Manchester Enterprises Group, helps some of the region’s most disadvantaged residents to get sustainable jobs.The inspectors were particularly impressed with ERP’s Foundation training programmes, designed to give unemployed […]
Creative Skills Council Launches
A new sector skills council for creative arts and skills such as advertising, craft, design, music, performing, literary and visual arts, has been launched.Creative and Cultural Skills, chaired by Tony Hall, chief executive of the Royal Opera House with Tome Bewick as chief executive, represents a workforce of almost a million people. At the launch […]
NHS Invests in Low Skilled Workers
NHS staff with no professional qualifications will be given access to learning accounts Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt announced this week. Hewitt said there would be £60m funding to continue NHS learning accounts and NVQs.The NHS Learning Account (LA) scheme aims to help those staff who do not have a work related professional qualification develop their […]
