August 2010
Welcome to the August edition of your CfA eBriefing! With the school holidays now in full swing and the annual scramble for university placements underway, this is the perfect time to review your CV, and perhaps consider taking up an NVQ or SVQ in time for the autumn term. This August we’re featuring three great Apprenticeship students, a questionnaire for you to fill out on National Occupation Standards for the Business Continuity Sector and the latest information on Welsh Key Skills within Apprenticeship frameworks. On behalf of the CfA, we hope you have an excellent Bank Holiday and here’s looking forward to the remainder of summer! If you would like to make a comment about your eBriefing or feel inspired to write a story of your own, please let us know by contacting Sabrina Cleevely.
If you know somebody who would like to receive our eBriefings, please pass it on or ask them to contact us with their email address. To subscribe to the CfA eBriefing, please email Sabrina Cleevely. |
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Business Continuity NOS consultation
Over the past 12 months the CfA have been working with a wide range of professional organisations from across the Business Continuity sector to develop a suite of National Occupational Standards (NOS). This new suite aims to benefit both Administrators, along with Middle and Senior Management working within Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), by giving them the Skills, Knowledge and Understanding in writing Business Continuity Plans. The results of this consultation will help companies within the sector to prepare their businesses to be more responsive and resilient to emergencies and disruptions. The CfA are currently conducting a two part questionnaire as follows: Part one Describes the NOS for the operational side of any business. This will focus on the competence, knowledge and understanding needed within Admin Support roles and Middle Management. Part two Describes the roles and responsibilities of Senior Management and Governance at a strategic level, focusing on the competences, knowledge and understanding at this level. You are invited to comment on either Part one or Part two of the NOS consultation, or on both, depending on your experience and knowledge within this field. Please click on the links below to be directed to the appropriate questionnaire. Part one BCM National Occupational Standards (Operational): www.surveymonkey.com/s/Y6TW7Y9 Part two BCM National Occupational Standards (Strategic): www.surveymonkey.com/s/YTZWTGN Please note that the deadline for this consultation is Wednesday, 8th September 2010. The CfA would like to thank you for your time and input in completing the questionnaire(s). If you require further details or information with regards to this project, please contact Uta Sempf
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Success Stories of the Hyndburn Apprenticeship Scheme Hyndburn Borough Council and Accrington & Rossendale College have created a partnership designed to close the worklessness gap in Hyndburn whilst benefitting employers and people wanting to take their first steps back into work, whatever their age. Following on from our article last month, we follow the achievements and successes of two students who joined the scheme, Scott Hartley and Nathan Schofield.
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Transitional arrangements relating to Key Skills in Wales within Apprenticeship Frameworks
Key Skill Qualifications in Wales have announced a new set of requirements regarding how Key Skills within Apprenticeship Frameworks are to operate in the future. The information below clarifies the circumstances when they can be accepted as part of an apprenticeship framework. The requirements are:
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SVQ workshop in Glasgow – contact us now to reserve your place
If you are an employer or centre offering the current Team Leading and Management SVQs, we would like to invite you to attend this workshop and help us as we review and re-develop the SVQ this year. Places are limited at this event so attendees will be selected on a ‘first come first serve’ basis. Please confirm your attendance at this workshop by emailing qualifications@cfa.uk.com by Friday 27th August, at the very latest.
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CII Calls for Changes to the Skills Landscape
A new report published by the Chartered Insurance Institute – ‘Investing in Tomorrow’s Skills Today - a CII prospectus for skills’ - claims that the entire skills landscape requires an overhaul if Britain is to continue to compete as a leading global economy. It calls on the Government to both recognise and work better with existing non-state skills providers such as professional bodies. The Chartered Insurance Institute, the world’s largest professional body for insurance and financial services, is a strong advocate for skills development and has a long pedigree in supporting skills development in the insurance and financial services sector. The CII’s report emphasises the importance of investing in skills through an economic downturn to ensure Britain remains competitive, particularly in areas like insurance and financial services. The report comes as the Government last week launched its consultation “Skills for Sustainable Growth” which reflects the new administration’s intent to shift from public to private and voluntary providers and to simplify the notoriously complex skills system. The CII report also sets out a seven point plan for skills:
Click here to read The Chartered Insurance Institute’s Prospectus for Skills.
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2010 Apprenticeship Award Finalist Melinda Fairfax Highly commended in Advanced Apprentice of the Year Category
Melinda Fairfax Joined Commercial Utility Brokers (UK) Ltd (CUB) in 2008 as a Telesales Executive and started an apprenticeship to improve both her confidence and communication skills. Melinda says to anyone thinking about starting an apprenticeship, “whether you are aiming to go into a full-time career or you’re not sure of the career path you wish to take, my advice would be to just keep learning. It’s up to you to use what you learn to your advantage, it will open doors and opportunities, give you more confidence and a better chance of finding employment. By taking an apprenticeship with the college it has helped me improve my personal skills and I now have the ability to contribute ideas and knowledge to my employers”. If you took part in the Apprenticeships awards this year, or know a colleague who is excited to share their experiences, please let us know! |
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Vocational Qualifications are vital to the economy
A new report from City & Guilds reveals that businesses and employers view vocational skills as vital to helping the UK work itself out of its current economic status. Over 1,200 employers, across 26 different industries throughout England, took part in the commissioned report titled, The Skills Economy – the new framework for prosperity. The report also states that:
To read the The Skills Economy Report, please click here.
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Launch of Scotland's 2010 Modern Apprenticeship Awards
Now in their 9th year, the Scottish Modern Apprenticeship Awards are a celebration of the high standards being reached by many employees, employers and learning providers involved in Modern Apprenticeships. Closing date for entries is midday on Wednesday 29th September. For more information go to www.alliancescotland.org. |
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EDI Business and Administration QCF Qualifications
Leading Awarding Body EDI has recently launched its new range of QCF qualifications for Business and Administration professionals. The new range includes the following qualifications: Competence-based qualifications to replace the current NVQ. These offer learners and Centres the choice of different sizes of qualification. The ‘full’ Award for the level is the Certificate at levels 1 and 2 and the Diploma at levels 3 and 4. As with the current NVQ qualification, the assessment is through learners building up a portfolio of evidence. The level 1 Award and Certificate qualifications are both included in the Foundation Learning catalogue.
Knowledge-based qualifications to replace the current Technical Certificates. Qualifications have been accredited at both levels 2 and 3. These new qualifications include optional units for the first time, giving learners increased choice and flexibility. The assessment will be through multiple choice tests.
If you would like further information regarding the QCF, please visit EDI’s new QCF web pages.
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A: No the learner does not need to complete their apprenticeship before 31st March 2011. If the learner is based in England and is registered before that date, you have the opportunity to offer them either Functional Skills or Key Skills. If they start their apprenticeship after 31st March 2011, then you should only be offering them Functional Skills.
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Take part in the development of new National Occupational Standards exclusively for the Business Continuity Sector
Scott works at Hyndburn Borough Council and following the completion of his Level 2 Business Administration, he has now progressed onto Level 3. Scott feels that the apprenticeship scheme has made a huge difference to his future prospects and is proud of his achievements so far. He has thoroughly enjoyed working at the council and has also made some good friends at college. Scott's manager, Vickie Barritt says, “Scott has far exceeded our expectations and has been like a breath of fresh air in the team. Scott is always willing to help out colleagues from across the Council and it has been very rewarding to see his skill base and confidence develop over the last 18 months."
Nathan Schofield started on the Scheme in July 2008. He had previously been out of employment for 12 months due to sustaining a serious injury in the army. Nathan passed his Business Administration NVQ Level 2 with flying colours and has progressed onto an ITQ NVQ Level 3. Nathan also won an Apprentice of the Year award in 2009 and now works as the College’s Junior Web Designer. Nathan said, “The Hyndburn Apprenticeship Scheme changed my life. I would never have dreamt that I would end up in a creative job in an educational establishment as my career prospects had always been focused on the army. I now have a raft of qualifications under my belt and hope to study for a degree in the future.” 
Additional Guidance for Framework Developers
The CfA will be holding a consultation workshop on Team Leading and Management SVQs on Thursday 16th September, from midday till 4pm in Glasgow.
This years Apprenticeship Awards has observed the achievements of many apprenticeships from all over the country within a range of industries and disciplines. Finalist Melinda Fairfax was one of the apprentices included in those celebrations and here she outlines her experiences with the College of West Anglia.
City & Guilds say Skills or Bust
The 2010 Awards will showcase those who have, through their involvement in Modern Apprenticeships, demonstrated initiative, enterprise and outstanding commitment to the improvement of skills development for the Scottish economy. 
Get the low down on the latest events taking place around the UK
Q: I understand that Key Skills, in England, have now been extended until 31st March 2011. Does that mean that the learner needs to complete their apprenticeship before 31st March 2011?If you would like to submit information to the CfA eBriefing, please contact Sabrina Cleevely on 020 7091 9620.
© CfA 2010
