March 2010 Newsletter

Change in the air as the nation goes to the polls - by Richard Beamish, Chief Executive

The pace of change continues as government related organisations try to complete their plans for improving their strategies and programmes before all policy work stops for the General Election. So since the autumn, we have received White Papers on higher education and on skills, and had publication of the new National Strategic Skills Audit (see below).

We have also received a prospectus for a new 'Joint Investment Programme' for England, that will provide part-funding for training in priority sectors. And on top of all this, the Learning and Skills Council finally closes its doors on 31 March, although they will open again on 1 April for two new bodies.

And if this is a bad time to be seeking to persuade government of the importance of skills for the UK economy, it's a great time for planning. Once a new government is in place and settled in, ministers will be looking for information and advice from employers to help refine its strategies.

In the meantime, we will be launching our new Virtual Skills Academy for Business Services towards the end of April, with the opportunity to extend the pilot programme across the UK and covering property, housing and parking. This is a solid opportunity to ensure some economies of scale on training and to identify training providers with viable programmes of real value. More about this in the next newsletter.

We will continue to do our best to ensure the labour market information, qualifications and training programmes are there to help your workforce get the skills it needs to be successful.

As always, we are here to help so feel free to contact me on any skills related issues at rbeamish@assetskills.org or call 0845 678 2888.

 

Business services are a "key growth sector"

Business services, including facilities management and cleaning, have been highlighted by the government as an emerging 'key sector' for future economic growth.

The first National Strategic Skills Audit, commissioned by the government and published by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, claims the industry is expected to account for more than one third of total jobs growth over the next few years.

The property industry was also ranked highly in terms of economically significant areas.

Asset Skills had substantial input into the Audit through its Sector Skills Assessment research and studies into employment trends and skills gaps in three of six 'clusters' - or sectors - deemed growth areas in the 2009 White Paper New Industry, New Jobs.

The first National Strategic Skills Audit for England 2010 Skills for Jobs: Today and Tomorrow aims to provide government, as well as employers, providers, individuals and public agencies with greater insight and foresight into England's existing and future skill needs.

It identifies the sectors, occupations and skills on which we need to particularly focus so that we are able to effectively meet the changing needs of the economy and labour market.

To view the National Strategic Skills Audit 2010 click on the following link: www.assetskills.org/News/News2010/NationalStrategicSkillsAudit2010.aspx

 

 

FM expertise needed to help deliver vocational qualifications

There are calls for facilities management (FM) and cleaning professionals to become industry assessors for a range of new vocational qualifications.

It follows moves by Asset Skills, the Sector Skills Council for FM and cleaning, to establish a pilot Virtual Skills Academy for Business Services, to help deliver a range of new vocational qualifications and apprenticeships, developed in consultation with industry.

"Work based assessment qualifications are new to facilities management and the demand from employers and candidates is strong," says Karen Waterlow, FM and Cleaning Specialist at Asset Skills.

"We are looking to recruit a pool of assessors to help providers deliver these new awards over several years."

Extensive, hands on and up-to-date job experience and industry knowledge are crucial components. Assessors use their knowledge to deliver programmes that support candidates to meet the industry standard and gather appropriate evidence to gain the qualification.

This is a good opportunity for someone looking to use their professional expertise to support learning and development in the FM sector. Assessors can combine the role with their existing job after taking a qualification such as the Level 3 Award in Assessing Candidates Using a Range of Methods - known as the A1.

The Asset Skills assessor pool will be made available to further education organisations such as awarding bodies, colleges and training providers as they move into this new market and seek the industry knowledge to support their efforts.

For more information contact Karen Waterlow by email at kwaterlow@assetskills.org or call 01392 423 399 or 07733 224 902.

 

 

FM employers are among the most committed to training their staff

New research shows facilities management employers are among the most committed to staff training, with more than a third increasing the time devoted to skills development during the recession.

The Asset Skills Barometer Project is a rolling six monthly survey of employers. It asked 43 FM companies about current and emerging challenges.

While 34% of those questioned spent more time on training compared with 12 months ago, 11% spent more money. A significant proportion of businesses (43%) said the level of financial investment remained the same.

"These findings are hugely encouraging and show employers in facilities management are still placing high priority on training despite the tough climate they have been operating in," said Richard Beamish, Chief Executive of Asset Skills, the Sector Skills Council for facilities management.

"The industry has just gone through the worst recession for 60 years and yet more than a third of those who took part in our Barometer Survey recognise how essential staff training and development is to the recovery process.

"They have found ways of devoting significantly more time to this issue, which we believe shows real energy and commitment."

Nearly half the respondents cited issues such as the low carbon agenda as creating new demands and a need for skills that their existing workforce did not have. In particular, there was a shortage of higher level mechanical and technical skills.

Other notable findings showed 35% of companies are planning to expand into new areas of activity, though 18% say their staff are not equipped with the right skills and knowledge to undertake this.

Cleaning employers follow same trend

Elsewhere, the Barometer Survey of 77 cleaning employers showed the time spent on staff training during the downturn rose by a quarter.

While 26% of the companies questioned spent more time on workforce development compared with 12 months ago, 10% spent more money. More than half (56%) said the level of financial investment had remained the same.

Health and safety legislation posed challenges to cleaning employers, as did the pressure to provide a "green service", in line with environmental regulations.

To view the Barometer findings in full, click on the following link: www.assetskills.org/Research/Projects/Barometer_Questionnaire.aspx

 

 

News from Business Link on the Leadership and Management Service

An extension to funding for leadership and management courses has been granted to Business Link South West.

It follows a successful programme run by the Leadership and Management Advisory Service which has helped develop the leadership capacity of small to medium sized organisations in challenging times.

For more information call 0845 600 9966 or email lmas@blpeninsula.co.uk

 

 

Call for members to the Asset Skills Property and Planning Board

Asset Skills is looking for property and planning employers to join our property services board.

We are looking for surveyors, planners, estate agents, lettings agents or any other employer to get involved with the board which meets three times a year.

The property and planning board helps steer the work of Asset Skills in the industry. This includes setting occupational standards, developing vocational qualifications and helping employers access funding for training their staff.

If you are interested in playing a role to shape the future skills agenda please contact Liz Black at lblack@assetskills.org or call 07921 976 815.

 

 

Updated labour market intelligence reports now available

Updated labour market intelligence reports are now available for each of the core Asset Skills industries: facilities management; housing; property and planning and cleaning. Similar, reports are also available for each of the four home nations.

These studies are produced on a six monthly basis and contain the most up to date data on:

• labour market intelligence, including data on companies and the workforce
• developments in Qualifications and Standards
• activities Asset Skills has undertaken in each sector and nation as part of its Action Plan
• an overview of each sector and nation and its challenges.

Further information can be found at: www.assetskills.org/Research/LabourMarketInformation/LabourMarket.aspx

For more information, contact Michelle Jay, Head of Research at Asset Skills at mjay@assetskills.org or call 0845 678 2888.

 

 

Major vocational qualifications project in pipeline for Wales

Asset Skills is set to launch a major project to deliver new apprenticeships and qualifications in Wales.

The contract is currently near completion and aims to deliver apprenticeships in facilities management, housing at levels 2 and 3, cleaning and surveying, along with NVQs in:

• Supporting Skills for Public Services (SSPS level 2)
• Local Environmental Services (LES level 2)
• National Federation for Property Professionals (NFOPP) Technical Awards in Sale of Residential Property and Lettings

A total of 230 learner places will be provided through the project which is part of the Welsh Assembly Government's Sector Priorities Fund Pilot programme to gauge and inform on employer and sector needs in the coming years. The project is due to start later this year as soon as the contract is signed, and is expected to finish at the end of 2011.

It will involve employers and training providers in new and innovative ways of delivery, looking especially at potential employer/training partnerships and an online forum for assessors and students.

A major difference in this project is that Asset Skills will be procuring the training with input from employers. Once the project is up and running Asset Skills Cymru will be looking for employers to be involved and full information will be available on our website.

For more information please contact Jan Holdaway, Head of Asset Skills Cymru, by emailing jholdaway@assetskills.org or call 01685 387914 or 07734 981 376.

Prosiect cymwysterau galwedigaethol mawr ar y gweill i Gymru

Mae Sgiliau Asedau ar fin lansio prosiect mawr i ddarparu cymwysterau a phrentisiaethau newydd yng Nghymru.

Mae'r contract bron â chael ei gwblhau erbyn hyn a'i nod yw darparu prentisiaethau mewn rheoli cyfleusterau, tai ar lefelau 2 a 3, glanhau a mesur meintiau, ynghyd â chymwysterau NVQ mewn:

• Sgiliau Cefnogi i Wasanaethau Cyhoeddus (SSPS lefel 2)
• Gwasanaethau Amgylcheddol Lleol (LES lefel 2)
• Cymwysterau Technegol y Ffederasiwn Cenedlaethol i Bobl Broffesiynol mewn Eiddo (NFOPP) am Werthu Eiddo Preswyl a Gosod Eiddo

Bydd cyfanswm o 230 lle ar gael i ddysgwyr drwy'r prosiect hwn sy'n rhan o raglen Beilot Cronfa Flaenoriaethau Sector Llywodraeth y Cynulliad i fesur a rhoi gwybodaeth am anghenion y sector a chyflogwyr yn y blynyddoedd sy'n dod. Bydd y prosiect yn cychwyn yn hwyrach eleni, gynted ag y bydd y contract wedi'i arwyddo, a disgwylir iddo ddod i ben ddiwedd 2011.

Bydd yn cynnwys darparwyr hyfforddiant a chyflogwyr mewn ffyrdd newydd ac arloesol o ddarparu, gan edrych yn arbennig ar bartneriaethau hyfforddi/cyflogwyr posibl a fforwm ar-lein i aseswyr a myfyrwyr.

Un gwahaniaeth mawr gyda'r prosiect yma yw y bydd Sgiliau Asedau'n caffael yr hyfforddiant gyda chyfraniad gan gyflogwyr. Unwaith y bydd y prosiect ar waith, bydd Sgiliau Asedau Cymru'n chwilio am gyflogwyr i gyfranogi a bydd gwybodaeth lawn ar gael ar ein gwefan.

I gael rhagor o wybodaeth, cysylltwch os gwelwch yn dda â Jan Holdaway, Pennaeth Sgiliau Asedau Cymru, drwy ebostio jholdaway@assetskills.org neu ffonio 01685 387914 neu 07734 981 376.

 

 

Northern Ireland news round up

Careers in the built environment

A new DVD to promote careers in the built environment has been launched in Northern Ireland.

The Built Environment Sector Skills Council Group produced the film to raise awareness of the rewarding jobs that exist in the sector despite the recession.

Careers in the following sectors are highlighted: facilities management; quarrying and construction supply; construction; energy and utilities, and mechanical and electrical.

For more information on any of the above news updates, or to request a free copy of the DVD, contact Adrian Watson, Head of Asset Skills Northern Ireland, at awatson@assetskills.org or call 0845 678 2888.

Training for property professionals

Asset Skills has launched a new programme that will pay half the National Federation of Property Professionals (NFOPP) Technical Award training fees for property staff.

The funding, from the Department of Employment and Learning Northern Ireland, will subsidise the course costs for 100 estate agency professionals. Potential trainees can now sign up for the limited number of places.

The industry-related qualifications that can be taken include the:

• Sale of Residential Property
• Residential Letting and Property Management

All are Level 3 qualifications - broadly equivalent to A-Level standard - run by the National Federation of Property Professionals (NFOPP) awarding body.

Housing: a career of choice

A new web portal and employability guides have been produced to promote jobs in housing in the province.

'Housing, A Career of Choice' is a project being run by Asset Skills in conjunction with the Chartered Institute of Housing, the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

It aims to provide schools, businesses, and experienced staff with a range of promotional material increasing awareness of career and progression opportunities available in housing and property.

It will be launched in April. For more information contact Tara Angell at tangell@assetskills.org or call 07827 947 531.

 

 

Team Clean Challenge Scotland

Asset Skills in Scotland has carried out the first heat in the prison strand of the Team Clean Challenge competition.

HMP Barlinnie, the current Scottish Team Clean Champions, hosted the event which aims to demonstrate the excellent cleaning skills training available in the prison sector.

The competition continues with Polmont Young Offenders Institution before moving on to HMP Dumfries and Glenochil.

Employers who would like to see the high standards of training and delivery available, please contact Kevin McCruden at kmccruden@assetskills.org or call 01887 829 171.

 

 

Built environment in the East Midlands

Asset Skills will be jointly hosting events in the East Midlands to promote the benefits of higher education organisations working collaboratively with employers.

The East Midlands Graduate Recruitment events aim to promote the benefits that can be achieved when higher education comes together with the built environment industry to work together.

They are being held on:

• April 26 2010 (4.00pm - 7.30pm): Sunley Management Centre, NN2 7AL
• May 14 2010 (10.00am - 1.00pm): Bishop Grosseteste University College, LN1 3DY
• May 26 2010 (4.00pm - 7.30pm): Leicestershire venue TBC

Asset Skills will be on hand to offer help and advice to employers on funding opportunities and information on the latest vocational qualifications. For more information, contact Louise Saxton at louise.saxton@emcbe.com or call 01509 225 800.

 

 

New learning programme for housing in the North

New opportunities for staff in housing have opened in the North of England.

It follows work by Asset Skills with the North West University Association (NWUA) and the University of Chester.

The new programme is available as a distance learning course and is flexible, work-based and can be tailored to suit the learner's needs helping create a balanced work and home life. It is for housing employees who want to improve their skills.

For more information contact our Regional Manager for the North, Lisa Lister, at llister@assetskills.org

 

Learning and Skills Council (LSC) transition

From 1 April, the transition of the Learning and Skills Council to its successor organisations, the Young People's Learning Agency and the Skills Funding Agency will become fully operational.

The Young People's Learning Agency will be responsible for a range of support for young people including Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for 16-19 year olds and Free Childcare for Training and Learning for Work. www.ypla.gov.uk

The Skills Funding Agency funds and regulates adult further education and skills in England. The Agency will ensure that people and businesses can access the skills training they need to succeed in playing their part in society and in growing England's economy. It will be customer focused, providing the information, tools and funding to support customer choice through a range of services aimed at both employers and individuals. www.skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk

The new organisations are expected to have a clearer focus than the one they replace. Train to Gain will continue in its current form when transferred to the new agency and Asset Skills is happy to support employers seeking funding for training under the scheme. Contact us at info@assetskills.org or 0845 678 2888.

 

 

New Chairman for the British Institute of Facilities Management

The British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) has elected Ian Broadbent as its new chairman for the next two years.

Ian has been chair of the north region since 2007 and has played an active part within the organisation. He is firm believer in learning opportunities and career development, and has himself obtained the BIFM Qual.

Ismena Clout, chair of the London region, will replace him as deputy chair, and Stuart Harris, chair of the east region, has been voted in as deputy chair.

They will officially take over their new roles in June. For more information contact Jessica Beaven at jessica.beaven@bifm.org.uk or call 0845 058 1356.