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Asset Skills secures £2m investment for skills to drive growth
More than £2 million will be spent on projects to drive employer investment in skills across the Asset Skills footprint.
The funding, provided through the Employer Investment Fund and administered by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, will help Asset Skills implement a range of employer-led programmes.
The £2,026,000 will be used across four projects over two years in facilities management, housing, property, planning, cleaning and parking.
Chris Cracknell, Chief Executive of OCS Group Limited and Chairman of Asset Skills, the Sector Skills Council for the above industries, said:
"We hope this funding can help build further capacity for employers to take ownership of the skills agenda within each industry Asset Skills represents. This investment shows skills improvement will play a key part of the growth agenda and in helping lift industry out of recession."
Richard Beamish, Chief Executive of Asset Skills said: "This is really welcome news for the sector and means we can continue to develop new apprenticeships and work-specific training that will strengthen the workforce and help employers through this difficult time."
The UK Commission received 109 proposals into the fund totalling over £119m. Following a rigorous assessment process, Commissioners chose 63 of the best solutions with the greatest potential to drive growth and employer investment in skills.
For more contact Asset Skills on 0845 678 2888.
Asset Skills secures £1.4 million to continue building a Greener Future
Asset Skills, as part of the Green Deal Skills Alliance, has secured £1.4 million funding to continue its work in preparing the built environment workforce for the launch of the Green Deal.
The funding was secured from the Government's £61m Employer Investment Fund: a flagship initiative managed by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, which is designed to boost enterprise, jobs and growth.
Over the past six months the Green Deal Skills Alliance (consisting Asset Skills, ConstructionSkills and SummitSkills) has been working to provide a skilled and qualified workforce to operate within the Green Deal, the Government's flagship energy efficiency policy, due to launch in October next year.
The work has been centred around a Common Competency Framework which offers additional learning units to ensure that Green Deal professionals provide good customer service with a holistic understanding of the overall Green Deal process. The framework takes into account issues around heritage listed buildings, installers and advisors understanding each other's roles and renewable technologies.
Richard Beamish, Chief Executive of Asset Skills said:
"The success of the Green Deal will depend on a highly qualified workforce delivering a high level of service. The funding we have received supports the implementation of this work and we are grateful to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills."
"The importance of training an advisor to understand wider topics like renewable technologies will make sure that professionals have a "whole house" approach to Green Deal and don't work in their specialist silos."
In addition to the Common Competency Framework, Asset Skills has been delivering a series of UK-wide, awareness raising, road shows. The road shows have been well attended and the new funding will ensure that similar activity can continue in the run up to Green Deal launch.
The second phase of the project will also see implementation of the new Green Deal learning and collaboration with existing regional low carbon initiatives. Work on the project will begin in 2012 and complete in 2014.
For more information please contact greendeal@assetskills.org or call 0845 678 2 888.
Deputy Minister celebrates apprenticeships in Wales
The Welsh Deputy Minister for Skills, Jeff Cuthbert AM, has celebrated our apprenticeships programme in Wales by meeting apprentices and handing out certificates to mark their participation in brand new training programmes.
More than 100 people attended an event at the Millennium Centre organised by Asset Skills to mark a project which has transformed the training landscape for hundreds of staff in facilities management (FM), housing, property, planning and cleaning.
The Minister heard from candidates such as Jason Moss (pictured) who took the new Facilities Management Apprenticeship.
"For me personally the timing and introduction of the Apprenticeship in FM was perfect," said Jason Moss, who works in the Residential Management Department for Rowland Jones Chartered Surveyors in Swansea.
"The course has enabled me to combine the theory with the practical aspect and has given me confidence in my own ability and also the opportunity progress further in my chosen career."
Employers in FM, cleaning, housing and property also praised the programme, including Eddie Ratcliffe, Operations Director at OCS Group Limited. The support services firm has a number of Welsh employees taking the Facilities Management Apprenticeship and the Cleaning Apprenticeship.
"This commitment to professional development is at the heart of up-skilling our people, helping them to grow in confidence and importantly, supporting our commitment to customer service," said Mr Ratcliffe.
The apprenticeships are offered as part of the Sector Priorities Fund Pilot (SPFP) programme, funded by the Welsh Government with additional support from the European Social Fund (ESF).
The Deputy Minister awarded a number of candidates with certificates to mark their achievements as the first people to undertake these qualifications in Wales.
"The demand for this programme has been massive with Welsh employers oversubscribing the original candidate target fourfold in some qualifications," said Steven Proudfoot, Chief Operating Officer at Asset Skills, the Sector Skills Council for FM, housing, property, planning and cleaning.
"The programme brought new qualifications to Wales that were previously unavailable. We have been able to put 230 candidates through courses - it's had a really positive effect on these industries throughout a very difficult time."
For more information on training coming up in the next six months as part of the SPF, contact Jan Holdaway, Head of Asset Skills Cymru, on jholdaway@assetskills.org or call 01685 387 914.
(Photo shows the Deputy Minister awarding Jason Moss, from Rowland Jones Chartered Surveyors in Swansea, with a certificate to mark his participation)
Dirprwy Weinidog yn dathlu prentisiaethau yng Nghymru
Mae'r Dirprwy Weinidog Sgiliau Jeff Cuthbert AC wedi dyfarnu tystysgrifau i nifer o brentisiaid am gymryd rhan mewn rhaglenni sy'n newydd sbon yng Nghymru.
Aeth mwy na 100 o bobl i ddigwyddiad yng Nghanolfan y Mileniwm a drefnwyd gan Asset Skills i ddathlu prosiect sydd wedi trawsnewid y tirlun hyfforddi i gannoedd o staff mewn rheoli cyfleusterau (FM), tai, eiddo, cynllunio a glanhau.
Clywodd y Gweinidog gan ymgeiswyr megis Jason Moss (yn y llun) a gymerodd y Brentisiaeth Rheoli Cyfleusterau newydd.
"I minnau'n bersonol, roedd amseriad a chyflwyniad y Brentisiaeth mewn rheoli cyfleusterau yn berffaith," meddai Jason Moss, sy'n gweithio yn yr Adran Rheolaeth Breswyl i Rowland Jones Chartered Surveyors yn Abertawe.
"Mae'r cwrs wedi fy ngalluogi i gyfuno'r ddamcaniaeth gyda'r agwedd ymarferol ac wedi rhoi'r hyder i mi yn fy ngallu fy hun ac hefyd y cyfle i mi symud ymlaen ymhellach yn fy ngyrfa ddewisol."
Hefyd roedd cyflogwyr mewn rheoli cyfleusterau (FM), glanhau, tai ac eiddo yn canmol y rhaglen, gan gynnwys Eddie Ratcliffe, Cyfarwyddwr Gweithredoedd yn OCS Group Limited. Mae gan y cwmni gwasanaethau cymorth nifer o weithwyr Cymraeg yn dilyn y Brentisiaeth Rheoli Cyfleusterau a'r Brentisiaeth Glanhau.
"Mae'r ymrwymiad yma i ddatblygiad proffesiynol yng nghalon y broses o wella sgiliau ein pobl, eu helpu i fagu hyder ac, yn bwysig iawn, gefnogi eu hymrwymiad i wasanaeth y cwsmer," meddai Mr Ratcliffe.
Cynigir y prentisiaethau yn rhan o Raglen Beilot y Gronfa Blaenoriaethau Sector (SPFP), sydd wedi'i hariannu gan Lywodraeth Cymru gyda chefnogaeth ychwanegol gan Gronfa Gymdeithasol Ewrop (ESF).
Dyfarnodd y Dirprwy Weinidog dystysgrifau i nifer o ymgeiswyr i ddathlu eu cyflawniadau fel y bobl gyntaf i wneud y cymwysterau yma yng Nghymru.
"Mae'r galw am y rhaglen yma wedi bod yn enfawr ac mae cyflogwyr o Gymru wedi gor-gofrestru ymgeiswyr bedair gwaith y targed mewn rhai cymwysterau," meddai Steven Proudfoot, Prif Swyddog Gweithredu yn Asset Skills, y Cyngor Sgiliau Sector i reoli cyfleusterau (FM), tai, eiddo, cynllunio a glanhau.
"Daeth y rhaglen hon â chymwysterau newydd i Gymru nad oeddent ar gael cyn hynny. Rydym wedi gallu rhoi 230 o ymgeiswyr drwy gyrsiau - mae wedi cael effaith bositif iawn ar y diwydiannau yma drwy gydol cyfnod anodd iawn."
I gael rhagor o wybodaeth am hyfforddiant sy'n cychwyn yn y chwe mis nesaf yn rhan o'r Gronfa Blaenoriaethau Sector (SPF), cysylltwch â Jan Holdaway, Pennaeth Asset Skills Cymru, ar jholdaway@assetskills.org neu ffoniwch 01685 387 914.
(Mae'r llun yn dangos y Dirprwy Weinidog yn dyfarnu tystysgrif i Jason Moss o Rowland Jones Chartered Surveyors yn Abertawe am ei gyfranogaeth.)
Green Deal skills events off to a good start
The first three Green Deal Connections events in Peterborough, Newcastle and Taunton have been well received and paved the way for six more successful events across the UK.
The series of free, half-day events are being held to raise awareness of the skills required under the Green Deal, the government's flagship policy for improving the energy efficiency of buildings.
Each event has been well attended with close to 100 delegates at the identical morning and afternoon sessions. The remaining six dates are also expecting good numbers but places are still available - to register for an event please click here.
The events include updates on Green Deal policy from the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and detailed presentations on the skills requirements for Green Deal Energy Advisors and Installers.
One delegate who attended the Peterborough event said, "Thanks to the team for providing consistently fascinating and intriguing presentations and discussions on the new Green Deal proposals."
The next date will be held in Cardiff on the 1 December 2011 and will be attended by a Welsh Government Minister.
For more information or to book exhibitor space, please contact greendeal@assetskills.org.
Interserve's work in skills development recognised at PFM awards
Interserve has won the 'Partners in Skills Development' award for its partnership with Asset Skills and RICS in developing career pathways for its employees, at the Premises and Facilities Management (PFM) Awards 2011.
This is the fifth year running that Interserve has received an award at the annual awards ceremony and is testament to the company's ongoing partnership approach in the facilities management and support services arena.
Interserve, Asset Skills and RICS were recognised for their combined work in delivering a range of courses that ensure every employee has the opportunity to develop at whatever stage of their career. As the judging panel explained:
"There was a clear demonstration of an excellent working-partnership between Interserve, Asset Skills and RICS.
"This partnership has not only satisfied the need for a strategic approach for training a growing workforce, but has been done in such a way that it has contributed to the quality of qualifications in the FM sector.
"Having met some of the staff, ranging from Security Guards to FM Managers, it was clear that they had a high regard for the training and development opportunities provided to them."
This investment in training and development has given our employees enhanced skills and confidence to be more effective and rounded in their approach to delivering customer service and in devising and implementing innovative solutions.
Bruce Melizan, Executive Director at Interserve added, "We couldn't have achieved this without the support of our partners, and Asset Skills and RICS have worked tirelessly to deliver a real change for both our employees and the wider industry. It's this flexibility and adaptability to develop a career that suits an individual's ambitions that makes facilities management such an exciting and fascinating industry to be a part of.
"I am proud that at Interserve we have been able to pioneer and develop a set of tools that can be used across the facilities management industry."
Richard Beamish, Chief Executive at Asset Skills commented: "Interserve has shown consistent dedication to its workforce through the Skills for Life programme and the apprenticeship in cleaning. The company's efforts are to be celebrated and we are delighted it has won this award and proud to have played our part."
For more contact Hannah Simpkins at hannah.simpkins@interserve.com or call 020 7902 2000.
Put property experience to good use as a workplace training assessor
Asset Skills is stepping up calls for people with property and planning experience to consider becoming assessors of work-based training such as apprenticeships.
It is part of the organisation's new UK Academy for Property, in collaboration with RICS, which aims to assist employers on staff training issues.
"In an industry that's typically not seen great use of apprenticeships, there has been an encouraging increase in the registration of apprentices by estate and lettings agents," said Richard Beamish, Chief Executive of Asset Skills, the Sector Skills Council for property and planning.
"As more apprenticeships and other assessment-based qualifications are taken up, we will need to find more qualified assessors who can be used by training providers within our academy network to help deliver the courses."
The UK Academy for Property offers companies hands-on help with training issues. It identifies where demand is strongest and fosters collaboration between employers to help achieve economies of scale.
The assessors will not be employed directly by the academy, but their details will be made available to a limited network of training providers who are members of it. There is a qualification people must take to become a qualified assessor which is usually offered by the training provider. For more information on the assessor qualification, contact the Institute of Assessors and Internal Verifiers www.iavltd.co.uk.
For more information on how to become an assessor, contact Liz Black, Property Specialist at Asset Skills, by emailing lblack@assetskills.org or call 07921 976 815.
For more information on the UK Academy for Property, visit www.assetskills.org/ukacademy and click on the property academy section.
New measures to strengthen the apprenticeship programme announced
Business Secretary Vince Cable has announced new measures to ensure more young people benefit from an apprenticeship, and to help employers gain the skilled workers they need to grow.
As part of the Government's plan for growth, Ministers are taking action to make it easier for companies to take on apprentices, and ensure that the quality of apprenticeships is continually improved. He told businesses in London that the Government would slash the red tape that can deter hard pressed firms from taking on apprentices, and provide a financial incentive to help the smallest firms recruit their first young apprentices.
The following measures to further strengthen the UK's world class apprenticeships programme were also announced:
For more info visit http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=422075&NewsAreaID=2
New round of standards consultation in specialist cleaning
Asset Skills is undertaking a second round of consultations to revise occupational standards in specialist cleaning operations including:
NOS and the qualifications derived from them describe full occupational competence and as such they complement, but are different from, training courses and professional and educational qualifications. The questionnaire is seeking your views on two issues:
Do the draft standards cover the functions required at each level?
Is the level of competence required in the units appropriate for those working in specialist cleaning?
The questionnaire contains titles of the standards and links to more details of each standard. Your response to this questionnaire will help structure the final qualifications.
The response deadline has been extended to 15 December 2011.
Specialist Cleaning National Occupational Standards Survey
If you are interested in taking part in the development of the new NOS please contact Vikki Williams at vwilliams@assetskills.org.
Funding is still available through the Women and Work project for cleaning or FM employers to train their female staff.
Most of the places (80%) have to be allocated at operational level (foundation and up to level 2), any development that works for the individual and their employer is acceptable. The rest of the fund (20%) has to be used for people aspiring to do management qualifications or development.
The targets for the project to 31 March 2012 are:
On occasion people working for other organisations are eligible but the majority of their work must be cleaning. Examples of this include people working as cleaning operatives in a hospital or local authority.
The project team are on target for achieving the outcomes, however further funding may become available.
For more information contact Carol Shillito at cshillito@assteskills.org
Opportunity for SMEs in the Midlands
A scheme that could be useful to small businesses in the Midlands is underway. The Goldman Sachs, 10,000 Small Businesses programme is targeting SMEs and social enterprises. Read more here.
A scheme that could be useful to small businesses in the Midlands is underway. The Goldman Sachs, 10,000 Small Businesses programme will benefit leaders of SMEs and commercial social enterprises by offering support to help build skills, strategies and networks. It aims to help them fulfil their growth potential.
It has been designed by the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and is being delivered in partnership with Aston Business School.
Participants join a group of 25 to 30 selected small business leaders from across the Midlands to form a trusted and diverse network that provides peer-to-peer support, challenge and guidance.
They benefit from a series of practically-focused learning modules between March and July 2012 which look specifically at the range of challenges faced by growing small businesses. It is designed to generate immediate impact on the participants' businesses. They also gain access to multiple sources of high-quality advice and guidance, all designed to help the business and the business leader to grow. Applications to participate close on 12 December 2011.
Further information about 10,000 Small Businesses, including eligibility criteria, key dates and how to apply is available at www.aston.ac.uk/10ksb
Register here:
For more, contact 0121 204 3225 or at 10ksb@aston.ac.uk
Leadership and management training
The leadership and management funding offer for all business with up to 249 staff has widened its remit.
Through the Leadership and Management Advisory Service (LMAS), owner-managers and senior leaders of businesses and social enterprises (with up to 249 employees) can access up to £1,000 in match funding to help pay for leadership and management training.
LMAS has now relaxed the eligibility criteria so that now all managers and team leaders can apply, as long as they report directly to the MD for business.
For more contact Andrew Cook or Vanessa Last at Asset Skills at acook@assetskills.org or vlast@assetskills.org or call 01392 423 399.
