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Deputy Prime Minister meets FM apprentice as part of new 'green' jobs boost
A young facilities management apprentice has enjoyed a high level meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.
Rishi Joshi, who is 23, met Mr Clegg and Energy Secretary Chris Huhne during a visit to south London where they were promoting a new scheme to ensure 1,000 new 'green' apprenticeships as part of the government's Green Deal policy.
Rishi works for John Laing Integrated Services and is being trained in the management of public facilities and buildings in west London.
The government hopes the Green Deal will create a new market-led system to lever in billions of pounds of new investment to improve the energy performance of buildings from 2012. It has the potential to create up to 100,000 green industry jobs by 2015.
"It was really interesting meeting the Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Secretary," said Rishi. "They asked what skills I was learning as part of my Facilities Management Apprenticeship and I explained the areas my training covers and how important FM is to the environment."
Asset Skills, the Sector Skills Council for facilities management, is collaborating with employers to put in place the new apprenticeship opportunities and provide skills training for existing employees.
Richard Beamish, Chief Executive of Asset Skills, said: "This is welcome news for FM, which has a big role to play in cutting carbon emissions from buildings. New training in green technologies and practices are essential components of this. The facilities management apprenticeship and other new vocational qualifications in FM will provide a workforce that's ready to take on these challenges and succeed."
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: "The Green Deal is about the future - and it is important we ensure that future generations have the skills they need to take advantage of the opportunities of the green economy. These apprenticeships are a perfect example of how Government and business can work together towards a low carbon future."
It is envisaged the new Green Deal apprentices will become experts in energy efficiency measures in business premises and in homes.
For more on the Facilities Management Apprenticeship contact Asset Skills at info@assetskills.org, call 0845 678 2 888 or visit www.assetskills.org
New date added to meet demand for low carbon training
Asset Skills has added another date to its programme of subsidised low carbon Continuing Professional Development seminars because of high demand.
The CPD events, organised in partnership with Universities South West, cost only £25 per learner and cover renewable technologies, funding and the green agenda. CPD certificates will be available.
The new event will be held on 18 May and builds on the successful first event at the Genesis Centre in Taunton. This was attended by 40 learners all with different career backgrounds in the low carbon industry.
Each event includes a detailed update on the Government's environmental policy with up-to-the minute information on the emerging Green Deal.
They also cover the practicalities of renewable technologies, including funding and a guided tour of the Genesis Centre to illustrate the technologies in action.
One delegate who attended the first seminar said: "It has expanded my first-hand knowledge and put some practical to the theory. It is ideal for imparting to clients."
If you would like to register your interest for the 18 May please contact Philip Stott at pstott@assetskills.org or call 01392 456 825.
Energy Advice training - Wales and South West England
Asset Skills is recruiting candidates for two training programmes offering energy advice.
The first project is to pilot domestic (and later commercial) energy advice training in Wales as part of the Sector Priorities Fund pilot programme commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) with joint European funding.
The domestic programme will be based around the ABBE level 3 Energy Advice (Home) qualification with additional learning on existing WAG initiatives, such as the Arbed and Fuel Poverty schemes.
The pilot will begin in April 2011 with 75 learners from across Wales, from different career backgrounds, taking the course.
Asset Skills is also recruiting for the Joint Investment Programme.
This project is offering 20 places for Domestic Energy Assessors (or equivalent) to receive training in the ABBE level 3 Energy Advice (Home) certificate. This part-subsidised training will take place at Somerset College and will also start in April 2011.
If you are interested in taking part in either of the above projects please contact Philip Stott at pstott@assetskills.org or call 01392 456 825.
Energy Advice training - Northern Ireland
Asset Skills is involved in delivering an energy adviser training programme in Northern Ireland.
The programme is aiming to develop 30 existing energy assessors to level 3 standard, awarded by the Awarding Body of the Built Environment (ABBE).
This is the first time this programme has been delivered in Northern Ireland and is running in both Belfast Metropolitan College and North West Regional College and is supported by the Department for Employment and Learning, Northern Ireland.
Growth and Innovation Fund boosts investment in training
Secretary of State for Business, Vince Cable, and Minister for Skills, John Hayes, have launched a £25 million a year fund to help businesses develop the skills they need to drive growth.
The Growth and Innovation Fund (GIF) will deliver targeted help for employer groups to overcome barriers to growth within their sectors and industries. The funding could deliver new training to boost innovation and productivity, enable industries to set new professional standards, or support new or extended National Skills Academies.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) will invest up to £25m per year in partnership with businesses, whose investment alongside Government could deliver a total of up £50m a year.
Secretary of State Vince Cable said:
"This government understands that to rebalance and grow our economy, we need to tackle the skills shortages that hold companies back. Through this fund, we will support employers that take collective action to overcome these blockages to expansion.
"By putting the employer voice at the heart of the process, we will reward inventive approaches to training that deliver real help to get business moving."
Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, John Hayes said:
"Government investment in skills works best for individuals and communities when it responds directly to employers' needs. By giving business the power to shape the training support we offer, we will ensure that public money directly supports jobs and growth.
"I look forward to working with industries of all kinds to deliver help where it is most needed to boost performance."
The investment fund - which will be delivered in partnership by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) and the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) - invites proposals from employer organisations such as Sector Skills Councils, professional bodies and trade associations. The prospectus - published today - outlines three types of project where GIF funding and employer investment can be brought together:
Charlie Mayfield, Chairman of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills and Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, said:
"This Fund is about employers taking control of their own destinies. We are looking for ambitious, innovative and sustainable schemes that will tangibly improve the skills base of the sector and make a real and lasting improvement to performance."
Geoff Russell, Chief Executive of the Skills Funding Agency said:
"This is the opportunity for employers to be pioneers, customers and investors of skills and training. Through joint employer and Government investment we can boost the country's skills and promote economic growth."
Funded places available for facilities management qualifications - limited availability
Asset Skills has a number of places available on a range of facilities management (FM) qualifications which currently receive 50% funding from the Skills Funding Agency.
These qualifications include the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) at level 3, the Certificate in FM Practice (NVQ) at level 3 and the British Institute of Facilities Management Certificate at level 4.
Employers or individual candidates will need to make a contribution of £880.00 maximum to the cost of each of the qualifications. Each qualification would take approximately one year to complete.
These funded places are available for a limited period only under the government funded Joint Investment Programme and it is the first time that money has been available to support candidates who wish to undertake FM qualifications.
Places are available specifically to potential candidates in London and the South East but could also be made available to a national employer who could provide a group of candidates (within England) for a training provider to work with.
Places will be available strictly on a first come first served basis and the funding is available for a limited period only. Candidates would ideally be ready to start by the end of April.
To find out more about the qualifications and how to access the funding, please contact Karen Waterlow at kwaterlow@assetskills.org or call 07733 224 902.
Assessors in cleaning required
Demand is growing in London and the South East for vocational qualification assessors to work with people undertaking cleaning qualifications.
Increasing numbers of learning providers are delivering a range of new work-based learning and apprenticeships in the cleaning sector. They need industry professionals to support the assessment side of the qualifications.
If you are interested in developing your coaching and assessment skills, why not join our register of people interested in becoming cleaning assessors?
In order to be an effective assessor you need to have worked in cleaning and be interested in developing and motivating other people. Ideal candidates will have or be willing to work towards an assessors qualification.
Please email your CV to Karen Waterlow at kwaterlow@assetskills.org or Andrew Cook at acook@assetskills.org. For enquiries email Karen or Andrew or call 0844 822 2525.
Standards and qualifications review in housing
Asset Skills is undertaking a review of the National Occupational Standards (NOS) and vocational qualifications for the housing sector. NOS are currently available at levels 2, 3 and 4. This project will use the occupational and functional analysis upon which the NOS are based to ensure full coverage of the functions performed within the sector.
There will also be research into whether there is a requirement for NOS and qualifications at Level 5.
A further project to develop qualification units and structures will then be undertaken based on these NOS to ensure that the qualifications available in the sector meet employer needs.
Project outputs and timelines
The project is expected to produce the following outputs:
The project is due to start in April 2011 and end in January 2012.
What we need from you
In order to produce NOS and qualifications that meet your needs as employers we need volunteers to take part in working groups for the NOS and qualification units. It is also possible to take part in the project via on-line consultations or attending focus groups in each of the 4 Home Nations.
The working group will meet on four or five occasions throughout the course of the project and the Housing Board will be asked to give final sign off of the products.
It is likely that the first meeting of the group will take place in early May.
If you are interested in taking part or would like to nominate someone from within your own organisation, please contact either Catharine Hinton chinton@assetskills.org or Vikki Williams vwilliams@assetskills.org or call 0845 678 2 888.
The impact of employability qualifications
Asset Skills has produced three reports investigating the profile of learners taking employability qualifications.
The project also looks at the impact the qualifications and programmes are having on the individuals taking them.
It is part of the employability contract from the Department for Business and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills. The reports cover the following:
Report 1: Employability Content in Vocational Qualifications
This report investigates the inclusion of employability skills within "high take up" sector-specific qualifications such as Apprenticeships and NVQs.
Report 2: Analysis of Employability Qualification Data
This report analyses information collated on generic employability qualifications from awarding organisations and and the National Data Service (NDS).
Report 3: Case Studies: The impact of Employability Qualifications
The case studies review the impact of generic employability qualifications in a number of settings from a learner, provider and an awarding organisation perspective.
The reports can be accessed by following the link http://www.assetskills.org/Employability/
Asset Skills had a successful three days at this year's well-attended Cleaning Show.
More than 200 exhibitors and a record number of visitors attended the event held at the Birmingham NEC. Asset Skills used the opportunity to promote its new UK Academy for Business Services, which offers hands on assistance to cleaning employers on training issues.
We shared a stand with the Cleaning & Support Services Association and the British Cleaning Council and staff managed to complete over 30 barometers research surveys, which chart employer trends on skills and development issues on a rolling basis.
From the 6 April Local Environmental Services will be a pathway within the Cleaning and Support Services Apprenticeship. Local Environmental Services is a combination of cleaning and horticulture units. In recognition of this pathway the apprenticeship will now be called Cleaning and Environmental Services.
Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England and Wales
The Facilities Management, Housing and Cleaning and Environmental Services Apprenticeship frameworks which meet the new standards are now available on our website. The frameworks include new details on guided learning hours and personal, learning and thinking skills for England, and on training hours for Wales.
For more information contact Gill Spatcher at gspatcher@assetskills.org or call 0845 678 2888.
Careers awareness in full swing
For the third year running Asset Skills supported the Blaenau Gwent careers fair in Abertillery.
Seven of the surrounding schools brought students from years 9, 10 and 11, giving Asset Skills the opportunity to spread the word about jobs and careers in our sectors.
Attendance at the fair also means we can inform the teachers and careers advisers so they are better equipped to advise the students back at school.
The next two weeks see Asset Skills at Skills North West in Bolton and Skills West Midlands in Birmingham where several thousand young people will be looking for careers ideas - we hope to be able to raise awareness and inspire some of them to think about jobs in the Asset Skills footprint.
For more contact Cathy Lindsay-Carl at clindsay-carl@assetskills.org or call 0845 678 2888.
The Association of Building Cleaning Direct Service Providers is holding its 2011 conference with the theme 'Polishing up our act'. The event will take place at the Queens Hotel in Chester on 12-13 May 2011.
To register for the event please visit www.abcdsp.org.uk
