BIS to review SFA and role of their Chief Executive

Transparency and accountability will be the joint focus of a review launched this week into the Skills Funding Agency (SFA).

But while its aim is defined, the mechanisms of the review are unclear, with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), and the SFA both tight-lipped when questioned by FE Week.

Also unknown is how long it will take, with its outcome due to be revealed “in due course”.

However, what is known is its reasoning, as it comes in line with the Cabinet Office Public Bodies Review Programme – a commitment to undertake a regular evaluation of key delivery bodies, explained a BIS spokesperson.

“It is a largely technical exercise, aimed at ensuring we have arrangements in place which will work effectively for all concerned and maximise delivery of the further education and skills agenda,” the spokesperson added.

Initial announcement of the review was made by John Hayes MP, minister of state for further education, skills and lifelong learning.

He said: “I would like to inform parliament the government is announcing a review of the status of the chief executive of Skills Funding and the SFA – the body which supports him in carrying out his statutory duties.

“The review is consistent with the Cabinet Office Public Bodies Review Programme, and reflects the requirement…to undertake a regular review of key delivery bodies, and the Government’s ongoing commitment to radically increase the transparency and accountability of all public services.”

The minister also told MPs that he would be seeking consultation from sector as a whole as part of the review.

He added: “I will be writing today to the further education and skills sector and to key stakeholders more widely about the review; and can confirm both the Skills Funding Agency and wider stakeholders will be fully engaged in the review process, whilst meeting the core principles set by Cabinet Office of ensuring that any wider consultation is proportionate and provides clear value for money.”

He concluded by saying that the review would build on the strength of the further education system.

“It is vital that we have the right structures in place to tackle the very real challenges that lie ahead; and this review reflects the Government’s ongoing commitment to building on the strength of the further education system, whilst ensuring rigorous accountability structures are in place,” he said.

Carshalton College seas success with volunteer award

Michael Herneman (21), a second year student BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport & Exercise Science at Carshalton College, was awarded the London Region Aquaforce Volunteer Award in the Young Volunteer of the Year Award 2011 by ASA Swimming.

It was presented to him by former swimmer Mark Foster at a glamorous ceremony in Thomas More Square, near London Bridge. Michael has been swimming for more than 15 years and he is also a member of the Cheam Marcuda Swimming Club.

His achievements for his club and at national level include being National Disability Champion. For the past year, Michael has been part of a programme, mygames and has qualified as a time keeper.

This role has involved travelling to different competitions, including galas at Crystal Palace lasting more than seven hours, where Michael’s commitment and attitude has been recognised along with the encouragement he gives to the competitors.

He said: “I was recommended to join the programme by my swimming coach Nick Ibrahim. I wanted to volunteer for the sport that I had grown up with. Being a former national winner I wanted to pay back all the support I had to young future athletes that will be excellent in the coming years.”

mygames offers young people a unique opportunity to promote and celebrate the values of the 2012 Olympic Games. Working with a mentor, Michael is developing skills and confidence to have the opportunity to volunteer at the 2012 Paralympic Trials.

Also, as a regional winner, he has been entered for a national award and could become the volunteer of the year.

Careers conference told to step up and get with the programme

Careers guidance professionals were told to step up and get with the programme at the Institute of Careers Guidance (ICG) conference in Brighton.

Ruth Spellman, chair of the Careers Profession Alliance, said: “We need as never before to stand together. The profession is looking very beleaguered, and we need to address that.”

Steve Higginbotham, ICG President, said: “The last 12 months has seen the most intense and sustained period of change ever.”

The event, ‘New Beginnings – Sustaining the Future’, was a chance for the further education (FE) sector to discuss how they could cope with new legislation and a shrinking workforce.

John Hayes, Minister for FE, Skills and Lifelong Learning said the sector would “simply have to do more with less” as it “approached a moment of immense significance.”

It’s right that large employers should make a contribution to the scheme, it’s absolutely right.”

Mr Hayes added the sector would need “to be very creative and enterprising” to deal with the tough economic climate.

“I don’t want there to be any illusion that it was better in the past. It wasn’t the right model,” he said.

The two day event will include keynote presentations from Peter Lauener, chief executive of the Young People’s Learning Agency and Simon Hughes, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats.

FE Week also asked Mr Hayes whether or not he thought large employers like Morrisons and Asda should be contributing cash towards apprenticeships.

He said: “It’s right that large employers should make a contribution to the scheme, it’s absolutely right. What I said in opposition is that it was time for a debate about who pays for what.

“This is what individuals pay, which is why we’re talking about changing some of the funding assumptions around provisionals, and what the government should pay, and that’s where it can put it’s money to maximum effect, as well as what employers pay. It’s perfectly appropriate to have that debate.”

A full report from the ICG Conference will be available in the next edition of FE Week.

Apprenticeship marketeers doing more for less

Those with a good ear for sound bites would have found it hard to miss the latest campaign to push apprenticeships on their radios.

But what most people may not know is the budget for the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) to produce those catchy ads, which highlight the importance and success of apprenticeships, has been significantly depleted.

Figures obtained by FE Week under a Freedom of Information (FOI) request with the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) show the marketing pot for the NAS has reduced from £8.7 million in 2008/09, to £1.5 million this year.

It is a quite dramatic fall; particularly when apprenticeships and targets are at the forefront of the coalition government’s agenda. Just last week, the statistical first release (SFR) figures showed a record rise in apprenticeship starts across all age ranges.

However, while the reduction appears to be drastic, the NAS were one of only “a small number” of government departments, insist the SFA, to dodge the swinging axe of reform and the cruel bite of budget cuts.

Over the last year, the Cabinet Office has put a stop to departmental marketing spend unless it is deemed essential – a category the NAS appears to fall into.

The FOI read: “Along with a small number of other government departments, the NAS has received an exemption to invest in marketing and communications activity to support the achievement of the Apprenticeship targets and objectives.

“The marketing budget for the financial year 2011-12 is approximately £1.548 million and equates to 0.11 per cent of the overall Apprenticeship budget.

“This is supplemented by our in-house PR and communications activities. In conjunction with this, NAS works closely with partners, employers and training providers on co-produced events and activities.”

But what is the money being spent on? The main part of the marketing campaign, according to the NAS, consists of radio advertising.

Bursts of adverts have been played during October and will continue throughout this month and in January on stations from TalkSport, to Jazz Fm.

Newspaper adverts are also running in the national and local press, as well as a telemarketing and direct mail link up.

The FOI added: “The campaign will highlight the business benefits of apprenticeships to employers facing the realities of the current economic climate and describe how apprenticeships can supply a skilled, talented workforce.

“The campaign will focus on smaller employers, those who haven’t participated in apprenticeship programmes, and those employers who are recruiting.”

The budget will also help fund next year’s National Apprenticeship Week, as well as a “specific focus” on new opportunities in London.

Last week, a new marketing campaign led by both the NAS and City Hall highlighting the value of apprenticeships was launched to target businesses across the capital, with Mayor of London Boris Johnson aiming for 100,000 apprentices by 2012.

Will the trend of marketing decline continue? The budget for 2012/13 is yet to be decided.

 

Writtle College receives Royal reception

A college was given the Royal seal of approval following a visit by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.

The spotlight was on Writtle College, in Essex, as she toured the college with Lord Petre and a number of civic dignitaries. Specialising in subjects relating to environmental design, equestrianism, agriculture and animal sciences, courses on offer are of interest to The Duchess. HRH is a keen supporter of the arts, enjoys gardening and is well known for her love of horses.

HRH’s visit took her to a Higher Education Animal Science lecture where she met Dr Carlos de Luna, before moving to tour the gardens of the Writtle College estate.

Along the way, The Duchess met Beryl Wyatt MBE, an assistant gardener who has worked at the college for more than 40 years, and further education horticulture students who will be entering the 2012 Ideal Home Show Young Gardeners of the Year competition.

She was also introduced to Postgraduate students from Postharvest, a course which looks at how fresh horticultural produce must be handled, transported and stored to maintain quality from grower to consumer.

Nicola Carroll, a professional floristry foundation degree student spoke to HRH and said: “The Duchess was really nice to talk to and she seemed genuinely interested in finding out about everyone’s specialist area of study.”

Finally, The Duchess visited the recently opened Titchmarsh Centre for Animal Studies, named after and officially opened by college patron, Alan Titchmarsh.
Here, The Duchess met more students and staff, talked with members of the Essex mounted police and toured the animal unit.

Professor Dave Butcher, principal at the college, said: “What a wonderful visitor to have at Writtle College. The Duchess was especially interested in talking to students and I took great pleasure in offering her a tour of the campus.”

City of Bath College students stand out from the crowd with t-shirt design business

Enterprising students have set up a new clothing company inspired by the skateboarding and hip hop scene.

Technology Crew clothing is the brainchild of former City of Bath College student Josh Frayling and current college student Nathaniel Osborne. The Bath-based duo’s range of t-shirts and sweatshirts aim to reflect today’s street culture, with edgy, urban designs influenced by street art and graphic novels.

The eye-catching designs are the ideas of Josh (18), who studied the National Diploma in Graphic Design at City of Bath College.

He said: “The designs are meant to stand out and get people’s attention. I’m a graphic designer and always trying to be different and come up with new and innovative designs and the t-shirts are an extension of that. At the moment we are selling online, but we’re hopeful if Technology Crew clothing really takes off we’ll be able to start selling in some shops in Bath.”

Nathaniel (19) is currently studying on the BTEC Diploma in Creative Media Production. He said: “My responsibility is publicity and trying to raise the profile of the company online. We have our own website and are now on Facebook and Twitter, so it’s just a case of getting our name out there.

“Up until recently we have been relying on word of mouth and have been selling t-shirts to friends of friends, but we want to expand now.”
Both Josh and Nathaniel credited the college with having an influence on their new company.

Nathaniel, who writes for the college’s online student magazine, Bladud, added: “I’m really enjoying the course.
“The teachers are great and are always there to help and inspire you.”

Success for first Suited, Booted, Recruited employment course at Filton College

Filton College are celebrating after their new Suited, Booted, Recruited course proved a roaring success.

Young people, who were not in education, employment or training, were given the opportunity to undertake the course to enhance their employability.

The two week intensive programme that commenced on 10th October 2011 was designed to enable 16-18 year olds to stand out and get noticed by potential employers. The course was a huge success and recruited more than 100 young people.

The students studied a wide range of subjects, including; manual handling, food hygiene and customer service. It incorporated softer skills which are so important in the workplace, such as timekeeping and clear communication, whilst also integrating the necessary skills needed at interview, including; CV writing and how to sell yourself.

Former World Boxing Champion, Glenn Catley was pivotal on the programme delivering motivational and relaxation techniques, as well as great inspiration to the learners on the course. The finale of the course was an employment event where the students were kitted out with a new suit courtesy of ASDA, ready for interviews with local employers which took place on the last day.

As a result a total of 13 students were offered jobs on the day and many more are still waiting to hear back. Sara-Jane Watkins, Vice Principal said: “I am absolutely over the moon with how the course went. It was such an emotional event seeing learners being interviewed and I am thrilled that 13 jobs have been offered today.”

City College Brighton and Hove launch new training progamme for young chefs

Student chefs hope their food will be top of the table after the launch of a new training restaurant at a football stadium.

City College Brighton and Hove has opened up City College @ East Central Brasserie inside the new American Express Community Stadium, which is home to Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club.

It is designed to help train the next generation of chefs to achieve culinary excellence in a working environment, under the supervision of trained chefs. Principal Phil Frier said: “It is a great coup to be involved with this wonderful new stadium and the restaurant is not just providing excellent opportunities for our Level 1 to 3 catering students, it’s a great means of enhancing our reputation in the community.

“The Gallery, the training restaurant we have at the college’s main campus, has gained a fantastic reputation for fine dining and we’ve no doubt customers at the Amex will be delighted with the quality of the food and very reasonable price.”

City College @ East Central Brasserie is open Monday to Friday during term time, caters for more than 100 covers, and gives students the opportunity to train towards delivering an express lunch service.

To try for yourself, call City College @ East Central Brasserie on 01273 648095.

TyneMet College help Proctor and Gamble cook up a storm at Corporate Athlete day

TyneMet College hosted a two-day training event for a group of employees from Procter & Gamble (P&G) last month. Delegates were taught how to make a slap up dinner as part of a corporate day.

Over the two days, the group utilised the training facilities at the college, including cookery sessions led by the catering staff to cook a healthy three-course meal and exercise and fitness sessions led by North East Sports Academy (NESA) and Flex Fitness Gym’s specialist coaches in TyneMet’s purpose-built gym and sports hall.

It was arranged by TyneMet Governor, Dr Graeme Cruickshank, who is an Associate Director of Research and Development at P&G. He said: “This event has been a fantastic success.
“Our people are our greatest strength at P&G and we reflect this in commitment to and investment in learning and development.

“There is nothing more important than helping your employees to grow and develop and Corporate Athlete is a key part of this.”
He added: “The facilities at TyneMet College are modern, of a very high standard and they easily accommodated our group.

“We were well supported by the different college departments and having access to their expertise really helped to bring the course to life for our team.” Victor Reid, director of business development at TyneMet College, said: “We were delighted to be able to facilitate the P&G Corporate Athlete event.

“Delivering the course at TyneMet gave us the opportunity to showcase the excellent teaching and learning resources we have. We look forward to working with P&G again and hosting future events for them.”