NHS Graduates Face Online Tests
NHS graduates now face new online numerical reasoning tests as part of their selection process for management training schemes. The test takes 20 minutes and uses randomised questions to prevent cheating, with successful candidates progressing through competency-based assessments before final selection.
Brain Food on Offer at Heinz Learning Academy
Heinz has opened the Heinz Learning Academy at its Luton factory, a £50,000 training facility designed to help employees develop basic skills in English, Maths, and IT. The center represents a joint investment by Heinz, the Learning and Skills Council, and the GMB Union, with plans for advanced training programs.
LSC Launches Employers Guide to Training
The Learning and Skills Council launches a new employers guide to training and development, addressing how companies can invest £4.5bn in staff training more effectively when only half of employees currently benefit from such programs.
British Gas Business Case for Apprenticeships
British Gas recruits approximately 450 apprentices annually through its Engineering Academy to meet customer demand. The company’s research shows apprentices are 25% more productive than externally trained engineers, qualify faster, and demonstrate 95% retention rates, creating significant competitive advantages in recruitment costs and leadership succession.
BT Business Case for Apprenticeships
BT trains approximately 600 apprentices annually across telecommunications, IT, and business administration roles. The company reports significant ROI, including an annual net profit of over £1,300 per apprentice, 7.5% higher productivity, and improved work quality compared to non-apprentices.
Selecting the Right LMS
A learning management system is an enterprise application that benefits employees, customers, and learners. Bruce Duff outlines 10 methodical steps for selecting an LMS that aligns with your organization’s needs, from assessing requirements to developing a detailed request for proposals.
The Way I See It… Beyond Evaluation of Leadership Programmes
Leadership development requires a long-term evaluation approach to reveal its true business value. Short-term measures fail to capture the lasting organizational benefits that emerge through ongoing learning, behavioral change, and succession planning integrated with business strategy.
Glowing Half-Term Report for CoVEs
Over four in five employers rated training from the Learning and Skills Council’s Centres of Vocational Excellence as excellent or good, with three-quarters finding strong value for money and reporting improved business efficiency.
Chickens Provide Egg-cellent Team Training
Unusual team training methods like herding chickens, belly dancing, and totem pole carving are gaining popularity in UK workplaces. Companies report these unconventional formats effectively build team relationships and create lasting learning through powerful collective experiences.
IIP Tell Business ‘Develop Staff to Boost Productivity”
Investors in People warns UK business leaders that prioritizing employee development is crucial to boost productivity and meet growth targets. Research shows 75% of managers recognize staff development as key to productivity, yet only one-third prioritize it over technology and competitors.
Business Skills at a Premium in IT Market
IT professionals increasingly need business skills alongside technical expertise to advance their careers. A survey of 500 IT workers found that 68% believe business skills would give them a competitive edge, while employers are actively seeking IT professionals with negotiation and management abilities.
Workers Must Up-Skill to Beat Offshore Risk
As offshore outsourcing increases, unskilled workers face unemployment risk unless the UK implements major education reforms to prepare young people for skilled jobs, according to a CBI report.
Self-Service Learning
Self-service learning systems reduce training administration burden by using electronic catalogues and automated booking. Research shows online catalogues are now more popular than paper ones, with over one-third of learners already self-booking courses. Implementing effective self-service requires consolidating supplier schedules and maintaining control over preferred vendors.
Acas Guide to Workplace Stress
Acas provides guidance on managing workplace stress following new HSE standards. Employers must conduct risk assessments and control stress indicators through managing demands, control, support, relationships, role, and change to avoid potential enforcement action and protect employee wellbeing.
Lack of Equal Opportunities Training Leaves Employers Vulnerable
Only 37% of employers provide equal opportunities training to new staff, leaving companies vulnerable to costly discrimination claims. A survey found that most organizations fail to offer ongoing training beyond initial induction, potentially limiting their legal defenses against harassment and discrimination lawsuits.
Merseyside Force Scoops CIPD Award
Merseyside Police’s ‘Prepared to Lead’ training programme has won a CIPD People Management Award for developing its leadership and performance culture. Since launching 22 months ago, the scheme has delivered significant results including £547,660 in efficiency savings and major reductions in crime across robbery, vehicle theft, and burglary offences.
Acas Launches Free Consultation Training Guide
Acas offers a free web-based training guide to help employers and employees understand new information and consultation regulations taking effect April 6, 2005. The package includes good practice advice, legislation details, an online learning course, and a trainers’ toolkit for HR professionals.
Workers Quit After Induction Nightmares
One in 25 workers quit their jobs after experiencing poor inductions, with media and public sector employees most likely to leave. Common induction failures include being too short, impersonal, or embarrassing, with 93% of workers reporting that bad inductions harm their ongoing productivity.
Online Bank Launches HCI
ING Direct launches the Home Computer Initiative, offering employees subsidized home computers and access to Futuremedia’s Learning For All programme. The bank aims to improve recruitment and retention while helping staff develop transferable skills.
Multi-Million Project to Help Refugees Plug Skills Gap
A £4 million project led by NIACE aims to help refugees find employment and address UK skills shortages. The Progress-GB Partnership will match skilled refugees with employers facing workforce gaps, while providing workplace learning support to improve job prospects for asylum seekers and refugees.