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AELP in collaboration with Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) has produced a practical guide ‘Moving from Key Skills to Functional Skills’ for all skills providers making the transition to Functional Skills qualification delivery within Apprenticeships from September 2012.

The guide is aimed at those of you who have some knowledge of functional skills but have yet to offer them within your organisation; it will also be useful if you already have some experience but would like to adopt a more coherent approach. The aim of this guide is to offer all providers some practical help so that they can prepare to deliver functional skills within Apprenticeships

Download the guide

This Ofsted report presents some of the common factors that have led to high performance in the work of 15 providers who are extensively involved in delivering apprenticeships to young people. It explains how the providers have successfully recruited young people as apprentices: introducing them to the world of work; supporting them in developing vocational skills and completing their apprenticeship frameworks; and supporting their progression into employment and further study. At Smart Assessor we have developed an innovative e-portfolio software with integrated web conference rooms which helps providers deliver outstanding work based learning using innovative but easy to use technologies at less cost.

To find out more why not view our online video's or request a demo?

Click here to view the full report   Click here to view the highlights of the report

A document detailing how the government will improve the quality of the apprenticeship programme has now been published.

The Quality Action Plan, drawn up by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), includes a number of measures to improve the content and delivery of frameworks.

The internal document, which includes no dates for implementation, was called for by the skills minister John Hayes following the introduction of statutory standards for apprenticeships.

Tougher standards introduced by Skills Minister to drive up quality

Apprenticeships will last for a minimum of 12 months guaranteeing improvements in training and workplace learning, Skills Minister John Hayes announced today.

The new standards will come into force for all age groups from August 2012, subject to consultation with providers and employers, as a further measure to drive up quality.

This is a really great guide for employers from the Chartered Institute for Personnel Development but is also useful for training providers, for example A contract of apprenticeship cannot be terminated on the grounds of redundancy, falling short of closure or fundamental change in the employer’s enterprise (Wallace v CA Roofing Services Ltd [1996] IRLR 435). If you did try to terminate the relationship early, you could face a claim for damages for wrongful dismissal due to breach of contract, both for the loss of wages for the rest of the term and for compensation for the
loss of training and status (Dunk v George Waller & Son Ltd [1970] QB 163, 169).

CIPD Employer Guide

In line with the intentions of the Government’s Transparency Agenda, the Skills Funding Agency have published a list of subcontractors with an aggregate contract value of £100,000 and over, together with details of their lead provider.

The list is compiled from information submitted by lead providers and is a snapshot taken at 10 January 2012. 

Click here to view the supplier list

The statistics below show there was a steady increase Apprenticeship starts between 2006/07 and 2009/10, followed by a large increase between 2009/10 and 2010/11.

CFA and the CIPD have been successful in their bid for funding to develop a higher apprenticeship in HR management, as part of the £18.7 million Higher Apprenticeship fund announced by business secretary Vince Cable in December.

More than a dozen colleges who missed out in the share of £100 million worth of capital funding have been handed a lifeline.

Skills Funding Agency chief executive Geoff Russell has written to 19 colleges that applied for the Enhanced Renewal Grant advising them that the Agency, in agreement with BIS, is now able to fund their proposals

Fast food chain McDonald’s has announced that it plans to create 2,500 new jobs in the UK this year.

More than half of the new jobs will be for young people and the company expects about 30 per cent of the posts to go to first-time employees.