The Sector Skills Council for the places where we live and work
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Regional roll out of apprenticeship events
A new date has been added to the regional roll out of Facilities Management Apprenticeship events - 21 September in Manchester.
The next early evening network event is one of six apprenticeship projects being trialled across England as part of the new Virtual Academy for Business Services, being run by Asset Skills.
The level 3 FM apprenticeship programme starts in the autumn. It has been developed by Asset Skills in partnership with employers and is set to play an essential role in developing the highly skilled workforce needed for long term economic prosperity, a role recognised by government and employers alike.
The event in Manchester will provide details of the costs and the criteria for funding support, and information about other FM accredited programmes. There will be an opportunity to learn more about the Asset Skills Virtual Academy for Business Services and to network with professional organisations and awarding bodies.
It will be held at the Manchester College, Fielden Campus, 141 Barlow Moor Road, West Didsbury M20 2PQ between 16:15-18:00(refreshments available from 16:00, buffet from 17:20).
To register, visit http://www.regonline.co.uk/AcademyEventManchester
Professional qualifications for Scotland's rural property market
Asset Skills has secured funding for part of the costs of adapting some of the professional qualifications for agricultural arbiters and valuers, who facilitate transactions within Scotland's rural property market.
At present there are no qualifications for this professional sector specific to Scotland.
The funding, from Skills Development Scotland, will help support the development of existing English-based qualifications to ensure that they reflect the specific circumstances of the law and economy in Scotland. These qualifications will meet an identified need to introduce recognised professional accreditation to this sector.
In seeking to promote and encourage those industries on which the regeneration of rural economies depends, Scotland's agricultural arbiters and valuers perform a highly specialised and essential role that ensures the commercial life of the Scottish rural economy continues to function.
The buying, selling and letting of land and property in Scotland's rural economy is facilitated by a group of professional specialists, most of whom are members of SAAVA, Scotland's Agricultural Arbiters and Valuers Association.
Valuers and arbiters are an invaluable source of resolution in disputes pertaining to landlord and tenant law in the specialised rural context. In such circumstances, they facilitate rent negotiations, for example, and act in an advisory capacity in an area of significant legal complexity.
SAAVA is keen to promote the continuing professionalisation of its sector and to achieve a parity of service standards from individual to individual and across the nations of the UK.
At the present time, there are no qualifications that specifically equip and accredit the work of a rural valuer in Scotland. The nearest equivalent to an industry-wide recognised qualification is that of the English-based Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV).
In order to specifically meet need in the Scottish market to deliver a recognised, accredited, relevant qualification delivered in Scotland, there now exists a commitment in principle on the part of CAAV to work with SAAVA to meet demand in Scotland.
For more information, contact Tim Pogson at Asset Skills Scotland at tpogson@assetskills.org or call 07554 452 287.
Chair of Asset Skills NI steps down
Northern Ireland Housing Executive Personnel Director Maureen Taggart has stepped down as Chair of the Asset Skills Northern Ireland employer board.
Maureen's commitment to skills development within Asset Skills since its inception has helped it implement a number of projects in the Province, including literacy and numeracy training for cleaners, subsidised training for property staff and a campaign to promote careers in housing.
Asset Skills is in the process of appointing her replacement.
New apprenticeship and training for welsh built environment
A new programme is set to transform the training landscape for industries in the Welsh built environment by delivering apprenticeships and qualifications where none currently exist.
The Sector Priorities Fund (SPF) Pilot Project will greatly benefit the workforce in facilities management, cleaning, property, planning and housing.
It is being run by Asset Skills, the Sector Skills Council representing these industries.
What is the SPF?
The SPF training is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government as part of its European Funded Sector Priorities Pilot Project. Asset Skills is establishing a network of training providers to ensure effective qualifications delivery.
The new apprenticeships (fully funded) and vocational qualifications (part funded) are not currently available in Wales. They include:
• Apprenticeships in Facilities Management, Housing and Surveying (Level 3)
• Foundation Apprenticeships in Cleaning and Housing (Level 2)
• Skills for Supporting Public Services (SSPS - Level 2)
• Local Environmental Services (LES - Level 2)
• National Federation of Property Professionals Technical Awards (NFOPP Level 3) in Sale of Residential Property and in Residential Lettings and Property Management
The network of providers will offer the highest quality training to meet the skills needs of employers and their staff.
The funding is only available in Wales and places for the programme are limited so early registration is essential.
If you are an employer looking to invest in the skills of your workforce or a training provider wishing to participate in this scheme, please contact Allen Williams, SPF Project Manager at Asset Skills Cymru, at awilliams@assetskills.org or 07736 438 047.
Prentisiaethau a hyfforddiant newydd ar gyfer amgylchedd adeiledig Cymru
Mae rhaglen newydd yn mynd i weddnewid holl faes hyfforddiant ar gyfer diwydiannau yn amgylchedd adeiledig Cymru trwy ddarparu prentisiaethau a chymwysterau lle nad oes dim ar hyn o bryd.
Bydd y gweithlu ym maes rheoli cyfleusterau, glanhau, eiddo, cynllunio a thai yn elwa'n fawr ar Brosiect Peilot y Gronfa Blaenoriaethau Sector (CBS).
Mae'n cael ei redeg gan Sgiliau Asedau, y Cyngor Sector Sgiliau syn cynrychioli'r diwydiannau hyn.
Beth yw'r CBS?
Mae hyfforddiant y CBS wedi ei ariannu gan Lywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru yn rhan o'i Phrosiect Peilot Blaenoriaethau Sector a Ariennir gan Ewrop. Mae Sgiliau Asedau yn sefydlu rhwydwaith o ddarparwyr hyfforddiant er mwyn sicrhau y cyflenwir cymwysterau yn effeithiol.
Nid yw'r prentisiaethau newydd (wedi eu cyllido'n llawn) a chymwysterau galwedigaethol (wedi eu cyllido'n rhannol) ar gael ar hyn o bryd yng Nghymru. Maent yn cynnwys:
• Prentisiaethau mewn Rheoli Cyfleusterau, Tai a Thirfesur (Lefel 3)
• Prentisiaeth Sylfaen mewn Glanhau a Thai (Lefel 2)
• Sgiliau ar gyfer Cynnal Gwasanaethau Cyhoeddus (SSPS - Lefel 2)
• Gwasanaethau Amgylcheddol Lleol (LES - Lefel 2)
• Dyfarniadau Technegol Ffederasiwn Cenedlaethol y Gweithwyr Proffesiynol Eiddo (NFOPP Lefel 3) mewn Gwerthu Eiddo Preswyl ac mewn Gosodiadau Gweddilliol a Rheoli Eiddo
Bydd rhwydwaith y darparwyr yn cynnig hyfforddiant o'r radd flaenaf i ddiwallu angen cyflogwyr a'u gweithwyr am sgiliau.
Yng Nghymru yn unig y mae'r cyllid i'w gael a nifer gyfyngedig o leoedd sydd ar gyfer y rhaglen, felly mae cofrestru'n gynnar yn angenrheidiol.
Os ydych yn gyflogwr sy'n dymuno buddsoddi yn sgiliau eich gweithlu neu'n ddarparydd hyfforddiant sy'n dymuno cymryd rhan yn y cynllun hwn, mae croeso i chi gysylltu ag Allen Williams, Rheolwr Prosiect CBS yn Sgiliau Asedau Cymru ar awilliams@assetskills.org neu 07736 438 047.
A new collaboration is set to raise skills in what the Homes and Communities Agency coins the 'place making sector'.
The National Skills Action Partnership, comprising Asset Skills and a number of other organisations involved in the planning and building of new places, has agreed to the mutual recognition of continuing professional development (CPD) to increase the provision of cross-professional learning.
For the first time, members of professional institutes involved in this sector will have access to CPD courses from 13 different professional bodies.
The move forms part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on skills signed by the partnership and which sets out a series of commitments to:
The partnership was launched in June 2009 to accelerate the development of a flexible, knowledgeable and highly skilled workforce. During the first 12 months, 276,000 practitioners have taken part in generic skills training as a result of the partnership.
Examples of specific achievements include:
The pace of change in the sector continues to gather momentum, with new skills needs emerging such as development economics, community cohesion and low carbon.
No one profession or organisation can solve the skills problems in this sector but collectively work can be done to improve the long term labour supply, widen entry routes and increase diversity. The mutual recognition of CPD means that professionals in the sector will now have greater choice about how, where and what they learn.
For more information contact Jo Bell at the HCA on jo.bell@hca.gsx.gov.uk or call 0113 394 4590 / 07855 819 662.
BIFM and FMA sign Memorandum of Understanding
The British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) and the Facilities Management Association (FMA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
The MoU will help both organisations to provide enhanced services to their members and raise the profile of facilities management, through cooperation and collaboration.
Specifically BIFM and FMA agree to support each other's mission and cooperate on events, communication, information gathering and market research.
BIFM chairman Ian Broadbent said: "I'm delighted that BIFM has signed this MoU with the FMA. The facilities management profession and industry can only benefit from cooperation between sector bodies and I look forward to the two organisations working together in areas of mutual interest."
FMA chairman Richard Sykes said: "We are extremely pleased to have signed the MOU which will enable mutual benefit and increased collaboration between our two organisations. Our industry requires an increasingly common approach and voice to gain the respect and influence it deserves and such cooperation is essential to achieving this aim."
Asset Skills signs new Memorandum of Understanding with the British Parking Association
Asset Skills will continue to work closely with the parking industry to ensure an effective, up to date and relevant qualifications structure, following the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding with the British Parking Association at the House of Commons on 23 July.
Under the agreement, Asset Skills will continue to develop occupational standards and qualifications for the industry, working closely with both the British Parking Association and the Institute of Parking Professionals.
As the licensed Sector Skills Council for the industry, Asset Skills enables the BPA to ensure that those working in the parking sector can have access to a range of qualifications, providing quality standards and career progression.
The BPA has also welcomed its new President, Graham Brown, who has launched the Association's Master Plan for Parking. This document sets out the BPA's priorities for what the government must do to ensure an effective parking industry.
