IT qualifications for all?
Moves are afoot for the Learning and Skills Council to try to make IT qualifications a closer match with the needs of IT employers. The joint initiative by the LSC, NTOs and the Adult Learning Inspectorate unveiled by Lifelong Learning Minister Malcolm Wicks will assess the skills of IT workers who have recently undertaken national […]
Workplace training schemes
This Theme Page provides a summary listing of the currently available resources on this site relating to all aspects of work-based training schemes. Resources The Library contains a number of useful documents for download for those involved in assessment and verification of NVQs.The Blackwell’s Bookstore has a number of publications for those involved in workplace […]
UK spending on training has reached record levels, says DfEE
£23.5 billion was spent on training in the UK last year, more than in any previous year, according to figures released by the Department for Education and Employment this week. The figures, which are made up of over £14bn for off-the-job training and £9bn for on-the-job training, show an increase of 25 per cent in […]
cheap PDA which will allow password protection of files
I run a training exercise which requires teams to crack codes which give them access to further information. This runs fine on laptops, as teams enter a password to open a MSWord document. But laptops are an expensive and bulky solution. Does anyone know of a cheap electronic organiser which allows password protection of memo […]
Languages National Training Organisation launches European Year of Languages
The European Year of Languages has been officially launched in the UK by the Languages National Training Organisation. Businesses were invited along to a launch event in London on 5 April to listen to Richard Caborn MP, Minister for Trade tell his audience that “There is a general rule of thumb, probably existing since the […]
Graphic Design for PowerPoint for Non-Designers
Graphic Design Help!If you have only read one or two of these tips, you know already that I’m on somewhat of a crusade to rid the world of ugly or “overdone” PowerPoint presentations. Each month, I attempt to give you some tips and provide links in the PowerPoint Centre to help everyone grow in their […]
Health Secretary unveils support programme for those with learning disabilities
Health Secretary Alan Milburn has unveiled a new government strategy aimed at improving work opportunities of people with learning disabilities. The White Paper, ‘Valuing People: A new strategy for learning disability for the 21st Century’ outlines a series of initiatives, including a new Learning Disability Development Fund of up to £100m over the next two […]
Europe needs science and technology skills observatory, says IES
The Institute for Employment Studies (IES) has called for a new ‘skills observatory’ to be set up to look closely at the supply and demand of science and technology skills across Europe, after in-depth research across the European Union carried out for the European Commission by the IES found that the information already available about […]
PowerPoint Tip # 5: The Usefulness of Master Slides
The Usefulness of Master Slidesmaster of ceremonies : “a person who acts as host at a formal event or a program of entertainment” (c)2000 Zane Publishing, Inc. and Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. All rights reserved.In PowerPoint, think of the master slide as your master of ceremonies-it can “host” your entire training event or presentation program by directing […]
NHS audit finds big discrepancies in training available to staff
Two new reports published by the National Audit Office and the Audit Commission last week find that there are big variations in provision for training in the NHS around the country.The Audit Commission review of education and training for existing and trainee nurses, midwives and other healthcare staff found that some NHS trusts spend five […]
Young people not exercising their right to time off for training
A report from the Department for Education and Employment finds that employment legislation introduced to establish the right for employees aged 16 and 17 to paid time off work for training has had little impact on the amount of training taking place.The legislation for time off for study or training, which came into force in […]
FE college funding mismanagement hits the headlines again
The Guardian this week reports that the National Audit Office and the Further Education Funding Council are carrying out a series of investigations into the relationship between Barnsley College Chief Executive David Eade and a number of companies he is said to have been involved with over the last ten years.The companies are said to […]
FE and HE colleges get royal recognition
Banff and Buchan College of Further Education, Bridgwater College, The Sixth Form College, Colchester, Greenhead College, Lauder College and Hastings College of Arts and Technology may not have much in common at a first glance, but they were all invited to Buckingham Palace last week to receive awards in recognition of their work to broaden […]
QCA to rationalise vocational qualifications
A major reform of the vocational qualifications system is on its way, with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) being given a key responsibility to undertake a review of the variety of qualifications currently on offer.The review, announced in last week’s government White Paper, is part of the government’s plan to create ‘a ladder of […]
“Insert_Here” PowerPoint Tip #4, February 2001
Insert _______ HereIt starts when you click “INSERT,” and sometimes ends in a hodgepodge of images and other multimedia strewn about the page willy-nilly, reminding one of Mardi Gras in New Orleans—colour and chaos reigning. I’ll try to help you know your INSERT options and will be featuring a graphic design CD in the coming […]
Skills audits for construction and engineering published
The results of the first reports commissioned in the wake of the National Skills Task Force to examine industry sector skills shortages in detail have been published today, revealing the true extent of skills supply and demand in the construction and engineering sectors. The two reports are the first in a series of 15 sector […]
Wicks announces plans to build on industry and education links
The government has unveiled new plans designed to counter skills shortages in a key area of the economy by bringing the Construction Industry and higher education closer together. Minister for Lifelong Learning Malcolm Wicks announcd that a Task Group formed from senior members of the Construction Industry Training Board, the Department of Environment Transport and […]
Vocational study to become part of education from 14
Vocational study is set to become a key part of education from the age of 14 upwards in England, if new plans announced by the government today are a success.Education and Employment Secretary David Blunkett unveiled the plans, which will allow students from the age of 14 to follow a vocational route of study in […]
Powerpoint Transition Effects-Text
I am trying to put together a presentation and want to pause each bullet point for further explaination, before moving onto the next point. How can I pause point by point without using individual textboxes? I have looked at Help which was no help and tried custom animation. I have demoted text to see if […]
PowerPoint Tip #3 – Should You Even Use PowerPoint?
Should You Even Use PowerPoint? Most of what you will find in the PowerPoint Centre are practical, “how to” tips on how to use PowerPoint. This month, I want to address the “if, how, and when” of using this ubiquitous presentation tool. You may think everyone in training, professional speaking, and sales uses PowerPoint. WRONG! […]
