The Sector Skills Council for the places where we live and work
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Asset Skills successful in relicensing process
Thanks to strong employer support, Asset Skills can continue its drive to ensure the highest profile for improving skills across the industries it covers. The Government has formally ratified the recommendation that Asset Skills be relicensed as a Sector Skills Council with an overall rating of 'good' and 'low risk' status.
The organisation was praised for its work directly with employers across housing, property, planning, facilities management, cleaning and parking, and across the UK nations. The focus on the delivery of skills through ensuring training provision and a qualifications infrastructure was also highlighted.
The National Audit Office quoted Asset Skills' strong leadership and direction, and its work directly with industry as evidence for its positive report. And the UK Commission for Employment and Skills highlighted its regular labour market information activity (the Skills Barometer) as a source of valuable feedback from employers.
So this is good news because it means that our approach of listening to employers on all issues, and offering or identifying sources of help and funding where available can continue. We continue to be approachable on all aspects of training and qualifications, and will try to cut through the maze of skills funding and support wherever we can.
There remain many challenges. As with most partially publicly funded bodies we cannot assume that our core funding will remain as at present. But we are eager to help the Government with its simplification agenda, which aims to make the skills infrastructure across the UK easier to use for employers.
So thank you for your support so far. But there remains much to do and it is your voice that counts.
The NAO reports and the recommendations of the Relicensing Panel are available at both www.ukces.org.uk and www.nao.org.uk
The talentmap is a project that aims to give employers comprehensive, practical help and information on how best to implement training of the workforce.
Accessed at www.talentmap.ukces.org.uk it provides a single view of the entire education, employment and skills landscape in clear, simple language.
Meanwhile, guidance for employers that outlines the new Skills Funding Agency is available here.
The Asset Skills barometer is a rolling research monitor charting industry trends in relation to skills investment in facilities management (FM), housing, property and cleaning.
The latest findings indicate training and staff investment has actually increased for a number of FM firms during the recession.
Half of the 48 companies questioned for the project's second phase said time spent on training had risen compared with last year, while 13% had increased spending on training.
It also suggests demand for domestic cleaners has risen during the downturn as more people work longer hours to keep their jobs.
Of the 125 property companies which took part, 13% said industry changes meant existing staff no longer hold the appropriate skills. The diversification into lettings has thrown up new challenges, including being able to find enough tenants for the growing number of rental properties.
To read the full State of the Sector reports which draw on the latest barometer research, please visit our Labour Market Information page.
Asset Skills has launched a fresh campaign getting out and about to employers to gather information for the Skills Barometer research programme and introduce the new Train to Gain Compact.
More than 100 companies have participated in the programme that has run over three months. It has led to more than 50 referrals of interested employers being made by Asset Skills to regional skills advisers.
The advisers, who progress individual cases and source appropriate training for employers, have praised the quality and quantity of the Asset Skills referrals.
The campaign will continue for another three months. If you and your company have not taken part and would like to, please contact Julie Freemantle, Senior Train to Gain Manager, by emailing jfreemantle@assetskills.org or Vanessa Last on vlast@assetskills.org or call 0845 678 2 888.
The Government has announced funding for facilities management apprentices in the NHS as the new apprenticeship in FM is officially approved.
The money is part of a £25 million package to more than treble the number of apprenticeships in non clinical roles such as estates and facilities management, catering and IT support and clinical roles such as dental nurses and pharmacy support workers.
NHS organisations will receive the money to create 5,000 new apprenticeships by March 2010. The funding forms part of the Prime Minister's commitment made in February to increase the number of apprenticeships by 21,000 across the public sector.
It comes as the first dedicated apprenticeship for FM is given official approval by the Apprenticeship Framework Quality Monitoring Group. This follows work by Asset Skills to fast track the apprenticeship in FM in response to huge employer demand.
The new apprenticeship comprises an NVQ in FM, a level 3 technical certificate and key skills training. There is also the flexibility to take either the NVQ or the technical award as stand-alone qualifications depending on individual circumstances and experience. It will provide an excellent starting point for anyone wanting to enter or develop a career in facilities management and will be available to employers in England from September.
Asset Skills is meanwhile continuing to work with training providers to ensure the delivery is in place and is keen to hear from employers with potential candidates for the apprenticeship so we can register demand.
Please contact Karen Waterlow on kwaterlow@assetskills.org or call 0845 678 2 888.
The British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) is inviting people to help celebrate World FM Day on Friday 28th August.
The organisation is hosting a breakfast event at Google's headquarters in London as part of the global initiative to mark the contribution FM makes to organisations.
BIFM chose the venue because it is one of the UK's most interesting workplaces. The breakfast takes place between 8.30-11.00am and will video-link with another World FM Day event overseas.
To secure a place please email jessica.beaven@bifm.org.uk or call 0845 058 1356. Visit www.globalfm.org for further information on World FM Day.
The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) would like to hear from companies with achievements in sustainable waste and resource management.
It is for the third CIWM Awards in Environmental Excellence which are held in November.
The awards recognise excellence through product design and innovation across a range of industries including facilities management, construction and retail.
Submissions must be in by 28 August - for more, please visit www.ciwmawards.com
The new apprenticeship for housing at level 3 has been officially approved and will be available in September.
The qualification's overhaul was carried out to ensure the sector's needs were being met following a number of changes in recent years.
The level 3 apprenticeship contains a brand new NVQ qualification aimed at a wide variety of job roles such as Housing Support Officer, Maintenance Officer and Community Development Officer as well as more traditional housing roles.
The award will help staff deal with demands linked to the environmental agenda, sustainability and the recession. Details will be posted on the Asset Skills website soon but in the meantime copies can be obtained by emailing Gill Spatcher on gspatcher@assetskills.org or calling 0845 678 2 888.
Elsewhere, training provider the Centre for Housing and Support (CHS), part of Cornwall College, is looking to expand their team of NVQ assessors as part of the housing apprenticeship offered in the South West. If you are interested please contact Gill Spatcher (details above).
Other new qualifications for the sector include the Foundation Degree in Housing which is now available at the City of Bristol College in partnership with the University of Plymouth.
This is a wide-ranging qualification covering most areas of housing work in the public, private and third sectors. For more please email HEinformation@cityofbristol.ac.uk or call 0117 312 5211.
Cleaners, caterers, porters and housekeepers at a Hampshire hospital have been the first to gain from a new training programme aimed at raising skills in public services.
A total of 53 staff employed by facilities firm OCS at Lymington New Forest Hospital have been awarded their NVQ level 2 in customer service, including teamwork, health and safety and equality and diversity through The Public Sector Skills Framework (PSSF).
One of those given a certificate was Harry Racey-Brighty who, at the age of 78, has the task of cleaning the hospital's operating theatres. "I'm really pleased to have gained the NVQ," he said. "It goes to show that it's never too late to learn."
The PSSF equips staff with skills over and above those needed for their basic role to help improve their job prospects and give increased motivation and improved morale.
For more please contact Tom Orton by emailing torton@assetskills.org or calling 0845 678 2 888.
(Photo shows L-R hospital cleaner Harry Racey-Brighty and ward housekeeper Anne Goddard accepting their certificates)
A new level 2 qualification centring on cleaning food premises has been developed by the Chartered Institute for Environmental Health (CIEH).
There is also an accompanying fact sheet and website information - for more please visit www.cieh.org/training or phone 020 7827 5900.
An Open Learning Course (OLC) for property managers of residential blocks has been made available online to meet growing demand for training.
The course - first launched as a technical reference book called "Residential Block & Estate Management Introductory Open Learning Course" – helps those new to the field of residential block management to acquire the knowledge necessary to do the job. More experienced staff also use the course as it provides the knowledge needed for the Institute of Residential Property Management's (IRPM) Part I Examination.
The open learning is also for experienced professionals in other areas such as lettings or estate agency who want to widen their knowledge.
For more information please visit the Residential Estate and Block Management section on our website or call Liz Black on 01189 934 9430 or 0921 976 815.
Elsewhere, an online learning course has been launched by the (CIBSE).
Companies currently face a shortage of new staff and graduate entrants with the required practical and technical building services knowledge. The CIBSE Online Learning system aims to tackle this directly to fill in the skills gaps.
Courses available from September 2009 include a " Facilities management update". For more, please visit www.cibse.org/onlinelearning
The Qualifications Curriculum Authority (QCA) has launched a summer consultation project to help set the criteria for new qualifications in English, maths and ICT – so called "functional skills".
Events are taking place to get feedback from employers. To register interest in attending please email Andy Morris at morrisa@qca.org.uk
For more, please visit www.qca.org.uk/functionalskills
Asset Skills has brought together higher and further education representatives with employer bodies to start an effective dialogue about addressing skills gaps.
The Scottish Forum of Higher and Further Education Providers met in June. It was chaired by Tom Wilson, Principal of Glasgow Metropolitan College.
Universities and colleges that run courses relevant to the Asset Skills footprint attended, as did professional bodies.
The group discussed a health check on providers' performance during the recession, employer engagement, improving education/employer knowledge exchange and an update on vocational qualifications.
(Photo shows - Dave McAllister of Dundee College, James Somerville of Glasgow Caledonian University, Margaret Lawson of the Higher Education Academy, Iain Murray of Chard FM and current chair of the British Institute of Facilities Management, Mary Taylor of Stirling University, Susannah Emery of RICS, Philip Hunt of Robert Gordon University, Tom Wilson (chair), Chris McWilliams of Heriot-Watt University and Lisa Cavallo and Kevin McCruden, both of Asset Skills.)
The Alliance of Sector Skills Councils Scotland has launched a three-year action plan to improve the qualifications and skills of the Scottish workforce.
It hopes to meet the needs of Scottish employers and address training and skills issues to ensure they are ready to take advantage of the economic upturn when it occurs.
For more, contact Sarah Wright at Halogen Communications by emailing sarahw@halogencom.com or calling 0131 202 0120.
Asset Skills is appealing to property firms in Wales not to miss out funding to train staff in the NFOPP Technical Awards. Already more than 120 agents have signed up for the training.
Through the Welsh Assembly Government, money was made available in February to pay 50% of the course and exam costs for 150 people to study the National Federation of Property Professionals residential sales or lettings technical award, the qualifications of choice for the industry.
Places are still available but sign up must take place soon in order for trainees to complete the exams before the April 2010 deadline and claim their 50% funding towards costs.
There are still places available but it is on a first come first serve basis. Please contact Gail Fleming on 01887 829 171 or for more please visit the Qualifications For Property Professionals section of the website.
Asset Skills Northern Ireland is working in partnership with four other SSCs to promote health and safety in the workplace.
A DVD is being produced showing examples of good workplace practice featuring facilities management firms in big landmarks such as Stormont and the Royal Hospital in Belfast.
The initiative is funded by the Department of Employment and Learning with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The Northern Ireland HSE will use the DVD to promote in colleges, universities and the province's general business community.
For more, please email the Asset Skills Northern Ireland Manager Adrian Watson on awatson@assetskills.org or phone 07843 211 488.
The British Parking Association, in conjunction with the headline sponsors, Philips Collection Services Ltd and 'Civil Enforcement Now', has announced that the 2009 Civil Enforcement Awards will not be taking place.
The decision was taken in light of the economic downturn and the unprecedented challenges facing the industry.
The BPA apologises to any company hoping to land an award and will be contacting everyone who has made a commitment. For more, please contact the British Parking Association on 01444 447 300.
Summer 2009 Edition
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