News & Events

June 11

Facebook

Astute Minds are now live on Facebook and Linkedin. If you would like to join us please request an invite, so you can stay abreast of our new and free courses. Also what the team are up to.

Extra push for jobseekers as mandatory work activity placements come on-stream for those who need more focus

From the 17th May 2011 Jobcentre Plus advisers will refer jobseekers that need additional support to get back to work onto mandatory work activity. Advisers have the power to refer job seekers to a four week placement if they believe a jobseeker will benefit from experiencing the habits and routines of working life.

The scheme has already started in London, the East and Yorkshire & the Humber and will be delivered by a range of private, voluntary and third sector organisations. The scheme will be available throughout the country by the beginning of June 2011.

Every work placement will offer:

• The opportunity go gain fundamental work disciplines
• Will be of benefit to the local community.

Participants will be expected to spend up to 30 hours a week, for 4 weeks on their Work Activity placement and will be required to continue to look for work.

Minister for Employment Chris Grayling said:

… These placements are all about getting people into a working routine if they need an additional push to get into employment. This is beneficial to some jobseekers as it will allow them to develop more of a work orientated mindset … it also makes them a much more appealing prospect for an employer … We are determined to break the habit of worklessness and get those who can work into jobs.”

Customers who fail to complete a placement without good cause will lose their Jobseeker’s Allowance for a minimum of 3 month.

May 11

National Careers Service

On 13 April 2011, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills announced the brand name and key features of the new careers service that will be available in England by April 2012.

They also confirmed that it will continue to fund.

A high-quality online and helpline service for adults. From September 2011, these will be linked to similar services for young people, so there is a single point of access for all users of each service. A network of public, private and voluntary sector organisations to provide face-to-face careers guidance to adults. From April 2012, the single point of access to online and helpline services, and the network of organisations funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills will be known as the National Careers Service.

NVQ Success

Another great month of NVQ achievements for many of Astute Minds customers.

Outshine the competition – enter the National Training Awards

The 2011 National Training Awards is seeking entries from Investors in People accredited organisations that have delivered outstanding training programmes for their staff.

Entering is easy – follow the simple steps below:
1. Choose your category
2. Review the entry form and award requirements
3. Download the guidance booklet, for additional help
4. Submit your entry online by 5pm, Friday 20 May 2011

For more information on the awards, visit the National Training Awards website

New Contract Awarded

Astute Minds have recently been awarded a small contract with Barking and Dagenham College. Managing Director Darren Shanley said "he hoped this would lead to a long term relationship, enabling the business to support many more businesses and learners".

April 11

What a month for business

Astute Minds feel that with so many bank holidays and the royal wedding approaching it’s a good time to review staff working practices. With only 18 working days in the month many companies will be worried about cashflow and loss of trade. However Astute Minds feel this is a great time to take stock of how you do business and who you employ. Work life balance is a key motivator when building effective and efficient teams, so enjoy the holidays, but look at how you can become better.

For more details on how Astute Minds can help your business email sales@astuteminds.co.uk

New Courses

Astute Minds is now accredited with the Institute of Leadership and Management, also Highfield awarding bodies. This now enables us to deliver high quality management and a variety of First Aid and Health and Safety courses

March 11

Skills Conditionality Consultation: Government Response published

The Government’s consultation on a joint Department for Work and Pensions and Department for Business Innovation and Skills paper on Skills Conditionality has been completed. The Government response was published on the 29 March 2011 and can be found here

The consultation was extremely well supported by colleges, independent training providers and Next Step contractors who were involved.

February 11

Further Education Initial Teacher Training Grant

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills launched the Further Education Initial Teacher Training Grant in September 2010 to offer a contribution to the fee costs of those teachers from across the Further Education sector commencing a Diploma to Teach in Lifelong Learning (DTLLS) or Skills for Life related Additional Diploma on a part time / inservice basis from September 2010 onwards. Funding is still available for courses that commence up to 31 March 2011. The flat rate, non means tested Grant of £400 has to be claimed by Further Education employers (i.e. colleges; work based or community providers) via the Institute for Learning - details can be found on the Institute for Learning website.

January 11

Matrix Standard - new service provider appointed

Following the recent tender for the management of the matrix assessment and accreditation process the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills have announced that emqc Ltd have been successful in their bid and will start to deliver the service immediately. emqc can be contacted via email or phone on 0845 3048600.

Apprenticeship vacancies

Apprenticeship vacancies continues to grow with over 150,000 candidates registering between 1 August and 31 December 2010 and over 32,000 vacancies so far being posted this year.

December 10

BBC First Click campaign, supported by Next Step

The second phase of the BBC’s digital literacy campaign, First Click, starts on 4 January until 18 February 2011. The campaign is supported by the Next Step telephone channel, providing advice for customers and referring them on to a BBC beginner’s computer course or a local UK online centre.

As part of the campaign, UK online centres have partnered with Jobcentre Plus digital champions to identify digital skills gaps and will refer on to UK online centres. More information will follow in the New Year.

November 10

Skills for Sustainable Growth and Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth

The Skills Strategy, 'Skills for Sustainable Growth' and the Skills Investment Strategy, 'Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth' have now been published by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills. Further information and a link to download the document can be found on the Skills Funding Agency website.

Young People’s Learning Agency e-bulletin

The Young People's Learning Agency produces a regular e-bulletin which can be found on the Young People’s Learning Agency website, or you can register for automatic web alerts from the Young People's Learning Agency.

October 10

Traing to Gain programme to end

On Wednesday 20 October the Government announced the abolition of the Train to Gain programme in the Comprehensive Spending Review. Funding for existing Train to Gain programme commitments continue and Astute Minds are hoping for further information about the closure of the programme after the Skills Investment Strategy has been published in the autumn.

September 10

Difficult times ahead

Astute Minds is going from strength to strength, but Managing Director Mr Shanley feels the industry is already starting to feel the effects of government cuts that could undo all the positive work many providers, colleges and charities have achieved over the past few years. Mr Shanley explained "the government needs to be very careful how it reviews its welfare and workforce development reforms, we all understand the constraints on the public purse, but cutting back on training is a backwards step. We need to ensure that as we come out of recovery, our business and communities have the skills to ensure it is sustainable".

Astute Minds has been busy trying to support this process by viewing its partnership working. If you have funding available and need support delivering your contracts, feel free to contact the team at Astute Minds and we will be happy to discuss your projects.

Small businesses seeing the rewards from staff development

Managers from Del Aziz, Camino, St Mungo’s, Starbucks, Harvey Nichols and Link Primary say that training their staff through Astute Minds has been key to maintaining staff morale during these very difficult economic times. Get your staff involved by contacting us on 02078372412 and we will come and discuss your requirements.