Taking the path to IT security best practice
Taking the path to IT security best practice Barbara Greenway, managing director of Parity Training, makes the case for getting to grips with both technical and ‘soft’ skills. Keeping IT secureRecent high-profile viruses like Sobig-C and BugBear have made improving security a priority for all users throughout an organisation, not just the IT team. Investing […]
Employers training more effective than colleges, finds ALI
The Adult Learning Inspectorate’s report into Engineering, manufacturing and technology in adult learning reveals that specialist work-based learning providers carried out by employers or employers’ organisations is more effective than that carried out by colleges.The survey of current practice in engineering, manufacturing and technology looked at a wide range of publicly-funded provision including education and […]
Members news: First aid training
Jackie Southworth of SOVRIN First Aid Training writes:Thought this may be of use to first aid trainers: The HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE has issued a discussion document on the subject of possible changes in the provision of First Aid at Work training as this may ultimately affect all first aid trainers it is recommended that […]
Independent body to tackle red tape in post-16 learning
The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) have set up an independent body which will be tasked with getting rid of red tape in post-compulsory education.The new seven-member Group, composed of representatives from the civil service and learning sectors, has been set up in direct response to the […]
Government regulations ‘denying’ millions of workers training in colleges
The leader of the association which represents Britain’s Further Education Colleges is calling on the Government to introduce radical changes in policy when it launches its Skills Strategy in June.David Gibson, CEO of the Association of Colleges, believes that millions of people across the country are missing out on training because of over-regulation of the […]
Featured interview: Revolutionising skills development in the retail sector
The new national sector skills network is being pioneered by five Trailblazer Sector Skills Councils. Among these is Skillsmart, the sector skills council for the retail sector. TrainingZONE talked to Peter McLaren-Kennedy, Head of Communications at Skillsmart, about the state of skills development in retail, and what a sector skills council can do to improve […]
FE needs to get closer to local employers, says Ofsted and ALI
Further education providers should do more to work closely with employers, according to the first joint annual report on post-16 education and training from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) and the Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI).The report, which covers the provision of learning for over-16’s in over 100 colleges, concludes that although teaching and […]
Training is too concentrated on the higher skilled, finds research
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has produced a new report, HR Trends and Prospects 2003, which suggests that organisations are devoting the majority of their resources towards the higher skilled, to the detriment of the UK’s ability to improve productivity. According to the report, low-income workers receive less training, feature less in […]
Employees look for training and job security over other benefits, finds survey
Training and job security are the biggest motivators for attracting and retaining staff, according to new research by Parity Training.Companies put job security as the third highest motivator (46%), after obvious factors like career prospects (69%) and salary (65%), while 29% of companies saw the value of offering training as an incentive to attract the […]
How is your training managed?
As part of this month’s theme on Adding Value and next month’s on the Training Cycle, we are asking you to share your reflections on how training is managed, in principle and in reality. We are looking for answers to any or all of the questions below (you can reply anonymously if you choose). Email […]
Remote workers don’t have equal access to training – research
Teleworking or home workers are not being given the same access as other employees to development opportunities, according to The Psychological Contract, a new report from The Work Foundation. Respondents were presented with a list of development opportunities and asked whether remote workers in their organisations have the same access to these as other employees. […]
How to choose a training provider
Outsourcing training to a specialist provider is an increasingly popular choice in today’s organisations. There are a large number of training providers to choose from, each offering different training solutions, so how do you find the provider to suit your needs? Robinne Collie, Managing Director of The Gourmet Challenge, outlines the questions and issues managers […]
Campaign launched to scrap VAT on training
VAT on training is currently costing the UK in excess of £87.5 million every year. According to Robert Chapman, co-founder of The Training Camp UK, the extra cost discourages individuals from signing up to courses and will perpetuate the skills vacuum. Chapman is urging the industry to lobby the Chancellor. He believes that until the […]
The future of e-learning – your views
The e-learning market continues to change as training professionals adapt to the technology and vice versa. We want to know what you see in the crystal ball. Post your own comments below. In my opinion, I foresee a good future for e-learning, but some things must change dramatically in order to get the best results:– […]
Skills gaps threaten future of British business – LSC
According to a new report released today by the Learning and Skills Council, in 2002 nearly a quarter (23%) of companies reported a skill gap, up 7% on 2001. The Skills in England 2002 report shows that skill gaps are occurring because of the introduction of new technology; organisational change; the lack of training and […]
Do your training investments lead to business opportunities?
Tom Kraack, partner with Accenture’s Learning Outsourcing business, looks at the pressures on training and the demand for ever quicker returns. Everywhere we go these days we hear a common lament about the training function of organizations: money goes in, but who knows what comes out? Do our people know more? Are they performing better? […]
Aspiring managers let down by UK employers – research
Nearly 85% of young professionals aspire to be tomorrow’s managers, a survey commissioned by Investors in People reveals. In stark contrast, many respondents say their careers are restricted by current working environments. Only 52% of those surveyed are satisfied with career developments on offer and only 45% feel employers encourage them to gain promotion.Ruth Spellman, […]
Choosing a management development programme
David Towler, CEO of Cambridge Online Learning offers some advice on making the right management training choice for your business. The changing face of businessThe pressure is on for business. Increasing legislation, calls for transparency and the growing need for compliance with governmental bodies, lead to increasingly complex and busy lives for business leaders across […]
Senior directors feel too busy for training – survey
Many senior directors think that they are too busy to receive training, and over one third of directors don’t think training is relevant or necessary. Well that’s what their HR directors think they think, according to a survey by the Institute of Directors. However, although 43 per cent of HR directors felt that their senior […]
Can the UK manage? And what can management development do? Your views needed!
Management in the UK has had a bad press this year. It’s also changing in style, delivery and accreditation, often leaving training managers uncertain about what style of development programmes are appropriate for their needs.What do you think about management training? Is it difficult to promote, both to potential participants and to senior decision-makers? Is […]
