December 2008
Christmas is just around the corner and to add to the festive feeling, this month’s eBriefing is lighter and leaner, (something we definitely won’t be over the next few weeks!) with a focus on achievements, awards and recognition. We have news of the European Smart Secretary/PA & HP Original Thinking Award 2008 and the final instalment of Eclipse Training’s cycle ride in Cuba. Plus of course, more short updates in the field of Business & Administration. So, to keep it brief and leave you more time to write and read those Christmas cards, on behalf of the team at the CfA I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas 2008 and all that you would wish for yourselves in 2009. Please read on…
If you would like to comment on any of these stories or have a feature of your own to contribute, please contact Helen Gerlach.
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Minister for Children, Young People and Families, Beverley Hughes, visited Liverpool Authority’s newly opened Inspire Diploma Centre in November to hear how the new Diploma in Business, Administration and The Minister welcomed the strong backing given by top employers and universities for the new Diploma, as Liverpool schools will be amongst the first in the country to offer it. Beverley Hughes said: “This Diploma covers areas that are of great importance to the UK economy and it’s vital that the young people coming through our education system have the skills that employers are looking for.” Developed in partnership by the Financial Services Skills Council (FSSC) and the CfA, read more about the Diploma and see Issue two of the Diploma newsletter at: |
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2009 is drawing near and right now, budget setting is probably far from your minds. And yet, in the midst of the credit crunch, we are budgeting for Christmas presents, food, drink and of course, those ever-present bills that seem to land on the doormat with alarming regularity. So, to avoid any surprises in January, be sure to set aside a portion of your next year’s budget for ePortfolio. It will benefit you and your candidates in developing greater efficiency in your assessment practices. Save visits to the workplace and have greater control over where and when you and your candidates submit and assess evidence. forward ePortfolio PLUS is the most cost-effective, access anywhere ePortfolio solution available on the market today. Please email Cameron Woodrow for more information.
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European Smart Secretary Awards The second European Smart Secretary/PA and HP Original Thinking Award 2008 ceremony was held inParisin November. EUMA members were invited to take part with five of them amongst the six finalists! We would like to extend our congratulations to Rita Kotsapa, EUMA Cyprus, who was unanimously voted the winner of the European Smart Secretary/PA and HP Original Thinking Award 2008. For more information about EUMA, please click here
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As you know, we have been closely following the escapades of Eclipse Training as they trained for the ‘Women for Women’ cycle ride in Cuba in November. ITV's ‘This Morning’ featuring Fern Britton (pictured) showed footage of the trip with the ladies wearing their CfA cycle tops all the way to the finish line. Congratulations to both Donna and Val for their successful mission! Donna Barry commented: “There were a lot of hills and it wasn't a piece of cake by any stretch of the imagination. It was a fabulous experience and I think the bug has bitten, we're keen to do China in 2010.” For more information about the 'Women for Women' cycle ride, please click here
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Eurasment – European Qualifications
For many small to medium enterprises (SME’s), participation at international level becomes increasingly crucial to their success and survival as Europe is still the primary exchange zone for UK SME’s. Their growing role in European trade implies an increase in the number of people trained to a vocational post secondary level, to provide support at management level. CfA and it's European partners have developed a European job profile for people working in Business & Administration who wish to extend their current skills base into the European labour market. The project aims to develop a network of European training centres to instigate exchanges during training and work placements. This European qualification consists of individual modules to study at home or in any of the participating partnership countries across Europe. Experience at management level within the Business & Administration sector is recommended. For enquiries and further details please contact Uta Sempf
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“Turnaround” for Midlands Teenagers A group of out-of-work Midlands teenagers who desperately want to get into the world of work are being helped by an innovative scheme funded by the European Social Fund. All aged between 16 and 18, the teenagers are taking part in the “Turnaround” programme - a 12 week project run by Youth Re-engagement Worker Richard Shaw said: “Many of these teenagers had very little confidence and lacked the skills to find a job or their next step on the career ladder prior to joining the course. We help to motivate them, give them confidence and the skills needed to get onto a training course and find the sort of job that suits them.” The group is taught interview skills, time keeping, dress code and how to fit into the world of work amongst other, more practical skills. If you would like further information about the 12 week courses that the Turnaround Team offer, contact Mark Purcell or Kirsty Daker on 07528 979385.
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Young Apprenticeship Programme in Business & Administration Welcome to the first Young Apprenticeship Programme update through the CfA monthly eBriefing, which will:
Initially there will be a Young Apprenticeships-related article every two months as we assess the need and demand for information from partnerships. These updates come after partnerships agreed there was a need for a central conversational platform. If you have anything you would like to contribute to the eBriefing, we would like to hear from you, as we would like to use it as a base to promote:
We would also like to congratulate all of the partnerships on their successful applications to be involved in Cohort six. By now you will have received feedback from the CfA and in the near future from your local Learning & Skills Council and Local Authorities about whether they have been successful with receiving funding. For further information about Young Apprenticeships, please click here and to submit information for the Young Apprenticeships section of the eBriefing, please contact Sara Vanderheld.
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EDI - Starting a New Business Enterprise
This NVQ is aimed at candidates who are considering setting up their own business or who are in the process of setting up their own business. It has been designed to cover the essential knowledge, understanding and competence required and is based on the national occupational standards developed by SFEDI, the standards setting body for business support and enterprise. If you would like further information about this NVQ in Starting a New Business Enterprise, please contact our enquiries team on 08707 202 909 or email. Equality and Diversity EDI is developing a Level 2 Award in Equality and Diversity to be accredited onto the Qualifications and Credit Framework in the New Year. The qualification will be suitable for learners who are seeking employment or who are already in employment. It is a generic qualification and therefore will be appropriate for all sectors and will cover the following areas:
The qualification will consist of one unit, which is expected to be worth four credits. The unit will be assessed via a multiple-choice test which will be available online or as a paper-based test. For further information please email |
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Q: Can GCSE Provisional Statements of Results be used as evidence for key skills? A: Yes the CfA accept Provisional Statements of Results from AQA, OCR, EDI and Edexcel.
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To subscribe to the CfA eBriefing, please email Helen Gerlach. The CfA is not responsible for the content of any external links from this newsletter. The Council for Administration is a registered charity, No 1095 809. |
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BAF Diploma Ministerial Visit to Liverpool 
Finance will give students a head start from September 2009.
Since 2006, the CfA has been part of a European network whose aim is to promote lifelong learning and student mobility across Europe. Current partner countries include Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain 
Telford & Wrekin Council’s 14-19 Team, aimed at putting young people’s lives back on track to start a training course or gain a full time job. 
EDI is pleased to confirm that accreditation has now been received from QCA for the EDI Level 3 NVQ in Starting a New Business Enterprise, which will be available from 1 January 2009. 
If you would like to submit information to the CfA eBriefing, please contact Helen Gerlach on 020 7091 9620.
© CfA 2008
