Good Samaritans
Samaritans, experts in listening skills training, has reported a surge in business as companies tap into charities’ expertise. Stephanie Sparrow reports. The change of mood in UK business is bringing a new area of training expertise into the limelight. As organisations face the dual challenge of beating the recession while embracing an ethical agenda, they […]
Live online chat: Filling your firm’s skills gap
Show date: Wednesday 8th JulyShow time: 2pm With the recession forcing many firms to let go of highly experienced and skilled members of staff, it is often left to those still on the payroll to fill the void. However, with training budgets also being simultaneously slashed, the existing employees are being expected to take on extra […]
Listening skills exercises
A regular query on Any Answers, listening skills exercises are in great demand. Fiona Nicolson has compiled this pick of the best ideas that have been shared by members over recent years. Journey to work Ask delegates to work in pairs and write down their journey to work in a very detailed way, for […]
Five minute interview: Geoff Russell
At last week’s Business & Skills Expo, Verity Gough caught up with recently appointed CEO of the Learning and Skills Council, Geoff Russell, to find out his plans for the LSC and ask: What’s the real deal with the Train to Gain funding? Firstly can you tell me how you came to take on this role – […]
Report calls for ICT skills for all
Free basic ICT training should be available to all adults, according to an independent report. The review, carried out by Baroness Estelle Morris, was commissioned by the Government to assess whether the nation’s basic computing skills needs are being met. Its findings indicate there are an estimated 11.6 million adults who lack basic computing skills […]
Staff need to come first
With the present economic environment meaning that training budgets are shrinking, organisations are going to have to be increasingly creative with what funds they have. Kevin Young explains. We live in a topsy turvy world. One minute we’re fretting over skills shortages and the scarcity of talent – the next we’re worried about being over-staffed […]
Skilled workers are more recession-proof says report
New government research has revealed that those with skills are less likely to face unemployment, while unskilled workers have suffered worst during the recession. The report found that 28% of the unskilled demographic have been left out of work for the past 12 months while other sectors suffering the effects include sales and customer service at a 16% increase […]
Mandelson’s new department unveiled
Lord Mandelson has outlined the responsibilities of his Ministerial team at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The new department was created last week out of the merger of the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform, and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. Lord Mandelson said of the merger: "The government needs […]
Free Thinking: Conquering the fear of public speaking
Even the greatest orators have a little help of one kind or another. Martin Shovel looks at how an understanding of technique can help us overcome our fear of speaking in public – and even become better at it. Something shocking happened to Barack Obama on 5 June 2008. He was addressing a meeting of […]
