Summer 2010 Newsletter

Message from the Chief Executive

The new Government has settled in and its policies on education and skills are becoming clearer. Minister for Skills John Hayes has made it clear that the way forward lies with a sectoral approach supported by regional delivery, rather than the other way around.

We have known for some time that the prime focus of supported training would be around apprenticeships (this would have been the case whoever was in power) and, in a time of greater austerity, we have to face the fact that employers are going to need to contribute more towards training costs in the future. We are working alongside Sector Skills Councils to ensure that other qualifications are not neglected, including 14-19 vocational diplomas in schools, basic and employability skills, and higher education programmes. Already, ministers are recognising the issues although resources remain tight.

On the issue of apprenticeships themselves, we have been working to ensure that generic rules do not disenfranchise learners from within the industries we cover. The National Apprenticeship Service has argued, for instance, that people with learning disabilities who can demonstrate appropriate skills levels should not be discriminated against. We are looking to help the NAS meet this commitment from a sectoral viewpoint.

The next big challenge will be the Comprehensive Spending Review. We need to ensure ministers are aware of the relationship between skills, and both efficiency and profitability. Perhaps then we can move forward to an era of stability and, if the support funding is not as we would like, at least we will know what is, and is not, available.

And while all this is taking place, we continue working with you to ensure you have the qualifications and training programmes you need. We were particularly pleased to see that facilities management company Norse Commercial Services won a prestigious award at the Business in the Community event at the Royal Albert Hall. And the hard work in terms of developing the Virtual Academy for Business Services and apprenticeship frameworks continues apace.

As always, we are here to help you (rbeamish@assetskills.org). 

 

Joint Investment Programme - success for Asset Skills sector

Two bids submitted by Asset Skills as part of the Joint Investment Programme launched by the government in March have been successful in getting through to the final round.

The JIP is designed to bring together public and private investment into 50-50 match-funded plans to support training and skills development in areas key to economic recovery and future growth. It takes forward some of the key themes of the Skills for Growth White Paper that set out an employer responsive, demand-led system.

Overall, 21 Expressions of Interest were submitted with eight getting through to the final stage. Of those eight, Asset Skills submitted two – one for Business Services, the other for Housing.

We are now developing an implementation plan which, if approved, will mean funding for a range of higher level qualifications. These will be delivered through the new Virtual Academies for Business Services and for Housing, employer funded pilots developed by Asset Skills to achieve economies of scale in skills training.

The qualifications that would be covered include the Level 3 Apprenticeship in Facilities Management (FM); Level 3 Certificate in FM; Level 3 Award in Cleaning Supervision Skills; the Level 3 ILM Certificate in FM; Level 4 BIFM Certificate in FM; Level 3 Certificate in Energy Advice; the Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Housing; and the Level 3 Certificate in Housing Practice.

At this stage the bid is for one year of funding only, because of public spending cuts. We are now discussing details with the Skills Funding Agency and will be in touch with employers as this work progresses.

For further details, please contact us on virtualacademy@assetskills.org or 0844 822 2525.

 

Virtual Academy for Business Services apprenticeship roll out

The regional roll out of the facilities management apprenticeship across England is continuing, with a second event held for employers in the North.

FM businesses and training providers attended an early evening network seminar at the Leeds College of Building where Asset Skills was recruiting candidates onto the new level 3 programme.

The college presented an economic and innovative training delivery model which was designed to meet employers’ requirements and attracted a great deal of interest.

The event in Leeds was held as part of a regional roll out of the apprenticeship to six English regions by the new Asset Skills Virtual Academy for Business Services.

The Virtual Academy is an employer funded pilot that aims to offer practical assistance to employers on training issues. The apprenticeship schemes are being launched in London; the North West; North East; Yorkshire & the Humber; the South West; and the East of England.

For more details of this event and the delivery programme on offer, or to register for the next event in Manchester on 21 September, contact Tom Orton on 0844 822 2525. Alternatively, email virtualacademy@assetskills.org or visit www.assetskills.org/virtualacademy.

To hear what employers think of the Virtual Academy for Business Services see www.youtube.com/assetskills.

 

Fresh calls for property qualifications assessors

Asset Skills is renewing its call for people with property and planning experience to consider becoming vocational qualifications assessors.

It is part of plans to establish a second Virtual Academy in September, this time for Property Services.

To ensure the new Virtual Academy for Property Services is a success we need to find people with the right level of industry experience who can help deliver the new assessment based qualifications.

The new Academy will help deliver a range of new qualifications and apprenticeships, developed by Asset Skills with property employers. It will offer practical assistance to employers on training issues and achieve economies of scale through employer collaboration.

As part of this, Asset Skills is building a pool of people who can act as industry qualifications assessors and would like to hear from property professionals with solid experience who are interested in the role.

They will not be employed directly by Asset Skills, but their details will be made available to a limited network of training providers who will deliver the training as part of the Academy offering. More information on this project will be available in September.

Assessment work is flexible and would be ideal for someone looking to use their industry knowledge to support learning and development in the sector. Assessors can combine the role with their existing job or use it as an opportunity for a career change after taking a qualification such as the Level 3 Award in Assessing Candidates Using a Range of Methods - known as the A1.

For more information contact Liz Black, Property Specialist at Asset Skills, by emailing lblack@assetskills.org or call 07921 976 815.

 

Prestigious skills award for FM company

Facilities management company Norse Commercial Services has won a prestigious award supported by Asset Skills.

The Skills in the Workplace award was given in recognition of the company’s investment in staff training and formed part of the annual Business in the Community awards event.

Supported by Asset Skills and the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, the award recognised Norse’s training programme that embedded a learning culture into the heart of its business.

With a largely unskilled and semi-skilled workforce, their scheme helped deliver training to more than 3,500 people and subsequently played a part in securing new contracts worth in excess of £18m.

The company turned a 12-person learning project into a Learning and Development Training Academy, which gave training to 2,321 staff and 1,250 members of the community. Increasing basic skills has seen customer retention rise, a cut in recruitment costs and fewer health and safety incidents.

“NCS put skills development at its core,” said Richard Beamish, Chief Executive of Asset Skills. “The training they offered reached beyond the existing workforce to the wider community and future employees. NCS fully deserves this award and we are pleased to have had the chance to play a part in their recognition.”

This year’s Business in the Community event was attended by the Prince of Wales as part of celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of his BITC patronage.

 

Awards given to first candidates to complete FM NVQ

Ten employees from support services firm Interserve have received awards for being the first candidates to complete the new NVQ level 3 in FM.

A special awards event was hosted by Interserve to show appreciation of the staff who undertook the qualification which was developed by Asset Skills in partnership with Interserve and other employers.

The NVQ comprises eight on-the-job units, assessing knowledge and understanding in areas from health and safety, customer service, business continuity to performance management, sustainability and leadership.

“This is an excellent achievement for both our employees and the industry as a whole,” said Bruce Melizan, Executive Director at Interserve. “The individuals’ commitment and dedication during this pilot has been a fundamental part of the pilot’s development and should offer extensive opportunities for all those involved in this industry. This is another step on our path to up-skilling our workforce and offering everyone the chance to develop to their full potential. We are extremely grateful to all the support of our partners and our clients for allowing these individuals the opportunity to learn and progress while at work.”

Interserve employee Julie Charles was one of the candidates who spent three months completing the course. “This programme has helped bring a renewed focus and clarity to my work,” she said. “I definitely feel better able to concentrate on projections and the bigger picture than I did before.”

 

Tenders opened for major Welsh training pilot

Asset Skills has received 12 tenders from training providers wishing to participate in a new programme delivering training in the Welsh built environment where none currently exists.

Asset Skills is procuring the training on behalf of its employers and is a major opportunity for businesses in the footprint to influence the way training is delivered.

The tenders are part of the Sector Priorities Fund Pilot training funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Social Fund. A network of training providers is now being established to ensure effective delivery of a range of new qualifications.

The tenders were opened following two successful workshops that Asset Skills ran for training providers and employers in Cardiff and Newtown, Powys.

The new apprenticeships (fully funded) and vocational qualifications (part funded) which are not currently available in Wales and are being offered through the project 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 Sector Priorities Fund Pilot will greatly benefit the workforce in facilities management, cleaning, property, planning and housing in Wales and through it at least 230 learner places will be provided.

For more, contact Allen Williams, SPF Project Manager at Asset Skills Cymru, at awilliams@assetskills.org or 07736 438 047.

 

Cyflwyno tendrau ar gyfer rhaglen arbrofol flaenllaw mewn hyfforddiant yng Nghymru

Mae Asset Skills wedi derbyn 12 tendr gan ddarparwyr hyfforddiant sy’n dymuno cymryd rhan mewn rhaglen newydd sy’n darparu hyfforddiant yn amgylchedd adeiledig Cymru lle nad oes dim ar gael ar hyn o bryd.

Mae Asset Skills yn sicrhau’r hyfforddiant ar ran ei gyflogwyr ac mae e’n gyfle pwysig i fusnesau ddylanwadu ar y modd y mae hyfforddiant yn cael ei gynnal.

Mae’r tendrau hyn yn rhan o raglen arbrofol hyfforddiant y Gronfa Blaenoriaethau Sector sy’n cael ei hariannu gan Lywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru a Chronfa Gymdeithasol Ewrop. A bellach mae rhwydwaith o ddarparwyr hyfforddiant yn cael ei sefydlu er mwyn sicrhau y bydd pob math o gymwysterau gwahanol yn cael eu darparu’n effeithiol.

Cafodd y tendrau eu rhoi ar gynnig yn sgil dau weithdy llwyddiannus y bu Asset Skills yn eu cynnal yng Nghaerdydd a’r Drenewydd Powys, ar gyfer darparwyr hyfforddiant a chyflogwyr.

Isod fe restrir y prentisiaethau newydd (a ariennir yn llawn) a’r cymwysterau galwedigaethol (a ariennir yn rhannol) nad ydynt ar gael ar hyn o bryd yng Nghymru, ond sydd bellach yn cael eu cynnig trwy gyfrwng y prosiect:

• Prentisiaethau mewn Rheoli Cyfleusterau, Tai a Chynnal Arolygon (Lefel 3)

• Prentisiaethau Sylfaen mewn Glanhau a Thai (Lefel 2)

• Sgiliau ar gyfer Rhoi Cymorth i Wasanaethau 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 Gosod Eiddo Preswyl a Rheoli Eiddo

Bydd Rhaglen Arbrofol y Gronfa Blaenoriaethau Sector o fudd aruthrol i’r gweithlu ym maes rheoli cyfleusterau, glanhau, eiddo, cynllunio a thai yng Nghymru. Trwy gyfrwng y rhaglen hon bydd o leiaf 230 o leoedd yn cael eu darparu.

Am ragor o wybodaeth cofiwch gysylltu ag Allen Williams, Rheolwr Prosiect SPF yn Asset Skills Cymru, yn awilliams@assetskills.org neu ar 07736 438 047.

 

New funding available for Scottish employers

Skills Development Scotland, the Scottish Government’s skills agency, has announced proposals to support Scotland’s small businesses through funding for training provision.

Any private sector employer based in Scotland with fewer than 50 staff can apply for financial support towards the costs of training that meets specific business needs for up to ten employees all of whom must be based in Scotland.

Employers can claim a refund of up to 50% of the cost of training ten staff or less. Only one refund will be made per member of staff. The maximum refund payable per employee is £500. The training must be completed by March 2011.

Training that will be supported includes industry-recognised qualifications. Ineligible training includes teambuilding activity and leadership and management, though training in first-line supervisory management is eligible.

Refunds will only be made towards the cost of training delivery, not administration, subsistence costs, etc.

For more information and details of how to apply, see www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/our-services/services-for-employers/encourage-employees-to-develop-new-skills.aspx.

Alternatively, email virtualacademy@assetskills.org, see www.assetskills.org/virtualacademy or call Tom Orton on 0844 822 2525.

 

Planning careers advisers go walkabout in Callander

An unusual event to promote careers in planning is taking place in Scotland.

Skills Development Scotland, working with the Royal Town Planning Institute and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, is offering an opportunity for careers advisers to get experience of what being a planner involves through a walking tour of Callander, the biggest town in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

On September 22, they will have the chance to join the tour of Callander where planning staff from the park authority will demonstrate the challenges they face in managing such an environment. The event aims to raise awareness of the types of issues facing planners in high-quality design, conservation of a much-loved environment, physical, community and economic regeneration, a sustainable flood management scheme as well as housing and tourism growth.

The tour will be preceded by a briefing on career opportunities in planning and will close with lunch. The event is funded by Skills Development Scotland and is free to attend.

For more information contact Tim Pogson at tpogson@assetskills.org or call 0131 667 2448.

 

Apprenticeship updates

From August 2010 there will be a new pathway within the Property Services Apprenticeship - Residential Property Lettings and Management, which will be available at levels 2 and 3.

The Cleaning and Support Services Apprenticeship framework has also been amended to incorporate the new qualifications available on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) and will be available in August.

And from January 2011, it is hoped that a Local Environmental Services pathway will be available within the cleaning apprenticeship.

For more information email info@assetskills.org or call 0845 678 2 888 (local rate call).

 

Surveying and Property Maintenance Apprenticeship available in Liverpool

Liverpool Community College has become one of only two training providers in England to offer the Level 3 Surveying and Property Maintenance Apprenticeship.

Working with the National Apprenticeship Service, the college is inviting employers to an event to find out about the apprenticeship programme, how they can be involved and how it can benefit their business.

The event is being held on:

Friday 13 August 2010 (9am to 10.30am) at Liverpool Community College, Vauxhall Road, Liverpool, L3 6BN.

Representatives from the National Apprenticeship Service, lecturers involved in delivering the programme and members of the College’s Employer Skills and Services team will be able to field enquiries.

For more information email livbus@liv-coll.ac.uk, visit www.liv-coll.ac.uk or call 0845 013 1515.

 

Facts and stats from our latest Barometer Survey of employers

Our latest Barometer Survey of employers has been released with some encouraging findings for employers across the footprint.

The project is a rolling programme that aims to chart the link between skills investment and productivity. It takes place every six months and has become a valuable piece of research that determines trends in skills training and produces solid industry specific data, facts and figures.

In facilities management, the skills levels of new recruits were found to have improved over the last six months. While 38% of the 100 FM employers who participated claimed skills levels were up among new staff, challenges still remained in finding the right staff with the right skills and in retaining skilled staff.

In housing, a quarter of the 107 employers questioned, were spending more money on staff training than they were this time last year. More than a third (36%) said they planned to move into new areas of activity in the next year. However, the same percentage felt their current staff did not have the skills to undertake these new activities.

The survey also heard from 134 property firms, with performance and productivity showing a marked improvement on this time last year. Profitability, productivity, optimism and staff morale had increased although running and recruitment costs were reported to be higher than they were 12 months ago.

In the cleaning sector, the barometer found companies to be performing better than they were this time last year. Of the 94 employers surveyed, 18% had invested more time in training over the last year, with the same proportion claiming to have invested more money.

To read the barometer results in full visit www.assetskills.org/Research/Projects/Barometer_Questionnaire.aspx

 

New research available

Intelligence Paper Issue 4: Employability of Ex-offenders

Improving the employability skills of ex-offenders is important in helping them find and keep jobs, which in turn reduces levels of crime. This research examines the issue of employability among ex-offenders. It looks at the barriers they must overcome to find work in industries within the Asset Skills footprint, and at the potential benefits they can bring to employers.

Intelligence Paper Issue 5: Sustainability and Low Carbon in the Housing Sector

The government is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supplying more energy from renewable and low carbon sources. This paper examines the role the housing sector plays in addressing the sustainability and low carbon agenda. The paper highlights the different legislative requirements placed on the sector that will help to create sustainable homes and communities, now and in the future.

These papers are available on our website: http://www.assetskills.org/Research/LabourMarketInformation/IntelligencePapers.aspx

For more information contact Michelle Jay at mjay@assetskills.org or call 0845 678 2888 (Local rate call).

 

Team Clean Challenge final

The final of the national skills contest The Team Clean Challenge 2010 has been held.

Teams from Rentokil–Initial, Indigo and OCS competed against each other over a two hour period during which they had to clean a hotel room and bathroom.

All of the teams performed well and were a credit to the companies that support and sponsor them.

The marking is now complete, the scores are known and they will be revealed at the presentation ceremony in September.

 

Event in North to promote new skills qualification

Employers in the North of England have attended an event to learn more about the new qualification Skills for Supporting Public Services.

The level 2 award has been developed by Asset Skills for support staff in the public sector such as school cleaners or hospital porters.

A presentation for 13 employers was held at Total Training Solutions in Bradford, which is the employer arm of Bradford College. The college is the first organisation in the North to deliver the qualification. Awarding body NCFE explained how the course would be delivered and assessed.

For more information contact Mubina Ahmed at Bradford College on m.ahmed3@bradfordcollege.ac.uk or call 01274 433102 or 07854 983674.