News
Free Training Opportunities in South West Wales
Free project delivering essential and basic skills
Developing tomorrow's scientists
Higher Apprenticeship for Life Sciences and Chemical Sciences
Lean Construction Free Workshops
The Welsh Government’s Supplier Development Service are organising free Lean Construction Workshops
Proskills Aligns to New Business Model
Proskills has just completed a restructure of the organisation following a board meeting
Nationwide search for young manufacturing stars launched
Business Minister Mark Prisk has today launched a nationwide search for the Make it in Great Britain 30 Under 30 – 30 young rising stars employed in the manufacturing industry, all aged under the age of 30.
Challenge to find the best new British innovations launched
Business Minister Mark Prisk has today launched a nationwide competition to find the most innovative pre-market products, processes and concepts the UK has to offer.
Launch of Building Products Skills Academy
Launch of the Skills Academy brings business benefits
Students Inspired by Oxford University Press Visit
Oxford University Press (OUP) opened their doors this month to two local schools as part of the PrintIT! twinning scheme to showcase the Print Industry to the younger generation.
Firm aims for larger slice of niche market
Johnson Tiles may be a mass-market leader but they are aiming for a bigger slice of the world’s niche markets, reports This is Staffordshire
Are you covered? Drivers must complete CPC by 2014
The legal requirement for professional drivers to undertake 35 hours of approved training must be completed by the 9th September 2014.
34th International Mining Games Cornwall 2012
This year the competition will be hosted by the Camborne School of Mines (CSM), part of the University of Exeter.
Skills for Growth Wales
Jeff Cuthbert, Wales’ deputy minister for skills, has announced a £30m fund to extend a government scheme supporting the creation of 3,000 jobs over the next three years.
Make it in Great Britain
Get involved and be a part of the Make it in Great Britain campaign 2012 which is aiming to transform the image of UK manufacturing.
Imperial are coming back to the UK
Imperial Middlewich site opening back up and will be running at full capacity by end of 2012
Proskills in Kazakhstan
Proskills recently accompanied the British Council to Kazakhstan to meet with government ministers and local mining employers and industry associations to commence the development of a mining Sector Skills Council.
New Certification Service for Apprenticeships
From 19th January 2012, a new certification service will be run by the Alliance and will be known as Apprenticeship Certificates England (ACE).
Training Services Wales offering up to 70% funding
A leading Welsh Training Provider offering up to 70% funding on professional Leadership & Management qualifications.
MakeIT! Furniture design comes to life
Oliver Mason of Arden School in the West Midlands who won the prize for the best solid wood design in the 2010 MakeIT! Furniture completion has seen his design turned into a piece of furniture.
£250m fund giving employers power
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has announced that businesses will be given the power to design, develop and purchase the vocational training programme they need under a £250 million plan
Red tape slashed for apprenticeships
The new measures announced by Government to ensure that more young people benefit from an apprenticeship couldn’t have come at a better time as unemployment levels for 16-24 year olds hits a record high said Terry Watts, CEO of Proskills
The world's oldest profession
The kits used by humans 100,000 years ago to make paint have been found at the famous archaeological site of Blombos Cave in South Africa.
Government funding to help create more than 100 jobs in Stoke-on-Trent
A project to save the last working Victorian pottery in the UK and create more than 100 new jobs in Stoke-on-Trent has secured commitments to receive £5 million of government and private funding.
Quark signs up as sponsor of PrintIT!
Quark, the leading provider of publishing software, are the latest to add their backing to the PrintIT! initiative. Quark has taken up a Gold sponsorship package for the 2011/12 PrintIT! programme and will provide copies of the latest version of QuarkXpress to both winning students and their schools
Celebrating seven years of PrintIT!
Since its launch in 2005 thousands of students across the country have participated in the PrintIT! programme, an industry-wide educational initiative led by Proskills which encourages students to consider a career in the print and paper industries.
Engaging with the next generation of the workforce
The PrintIT! twinning programme brings together schools and printing companies to introduce students to the major challenges facing the industry
Launch of Print Skills Academy website offers business benefits
With the launch of the new Print Skills Academy Website employers now have a single port of call where they can find solutions to their skills issues, including training provision and funding, writes Proskills Print and Paper Industry lead Richard Moore
HP renews sponsorship of PrintIT!
Already a long-term sponsor of PrintIT!, HP have renewed their sponsorship of the programme. The print giant will contribute £5,000 in cash and £5,000 worth of prizes to the programme in 2012
Chris Williams, PrintIT! Best Industry Twinner
Article in Print and Paper Monthly: Sales Director at leachprint in Abingdon, Oxfordshire; the company recently won the PrintIT! Best Industry Twinner award.
Pilz gains full accreditation
Pilz gains full accreditation to provide machinery safety skills training to UK process and manufacturing sector
Mission to India
At the invitation of the Indian Government, a delegation from Proskills recently travelled to New Delhi, India to provide support and guidance on the development of Sector Skills Councils.
Colourfast declares its support for PrintIT!
The Brighton-based printing company Colourfast has become one of the first companies in the UK to become a PrintIT! supporter.
Scottish Apprenticeship Week
The first ever Scottish Apprenticeship week took place from 5-9 September 2011, aiming to encourage more employers to take on apprentices. A range of events were held throughout the week to highlight the value of vocational educational and heighten awareness among employers of the support available
PrintIT! Scotland reaches final stages
The quality of entries to the PrintIT! Scotland programme made judging a difficult task. However, after much debate a shortlist of finalists has been identified, showcasing the best of Scotland’s emerging design talent, writes Proskills Scotland Manager Linda McCourt
Finishing Alliance supports major PrintIT! launch at London Calling
Making it a full house of Finishing Alliance Sponsors, Freidheim International has confirmed their sponsorship of PrintIT!, joining Renz and Duplo, both long term existing sponsors.
Reduction in funding for Adult Apprenticeships
Changes have been announced to the funding arrangements for adult (25 years +) apprentices.
Apprenticeship week will highlight value of vocational education
The first ever Scottish Apprenticeship Week took place from 5-9 September, aiming to encourage more businesses to take on apprentices. Expanding apprenticeship and vocational learning programmes will boost economic recovery, says Linda McCourt, Proskills Scotland Manager
Make money from your waste
InvestNI are sponsoring workshops in NI to highlight the opportunities to businesses to achieve cost savings and improve the bottom line while also reducing the environmental impact of wastes generated by them.
Finishing Alliance supports major PrintIT! launch at London Calling
The PrintIT! supporter package will offer both small and large companies attractive sponsorship opportunities, helping them attract the next generation of talent, writes Proskills Deputy CEO Tom Bowtell
CONSTRUCTION SALES GROWTH programme
Belfast City Council are recruiting up to 50 small companies and businesses in construction and allied supply chain businesses ranging from mechanical and electrical engineering to landscaping, shop-fitting and interior design.
A dramatic year for education reform
The coalition Government has committed itself to radical education reform, including the expansion of apprenticeship programmes.
Funding the Future
By offering funding for training in low carbon techniques and advanced manufacturing, Proskills is helping companies develop the skills of their staff and prepare for the future writes Jonathan Ledger, Extractive and Minerals Processing Industry Lead at Proskills, the Sector Skills Council for the Process and Manufacturing Sector
Awarding bodies can benefit from Proskills’ expertise
Recent changes in OFQUAL’s (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) approach to regulating the UK’s awarding organisations will have a real impact on Proskills’ ability to match skills supply to demand in the process and manufacturing sector.
Platinum Pantone commit to PrintIT! 2012
The PrintIT! programme has attracted broad support from industry since being established in 2005, and Pantone’s announcement that they will continue to sponsor PrintIT! in 2012 suggests that will continue.
Improve project management skills, reduce costs and risk to your business
Project Management Fundamentals, tailored for the ‘Construction Materials Supply Chain Sector
Print professionals help develop new print qualifications
Months of meetings and discussions by a group of print professionals have resulted in the birth of new generation qualifications for the UK print industry.
Support for training will boost manufacturing
A report by the Office for National Statistics has found that manufacturing output fell by 0.4 per cent in June. Proskills CEO Terry Watts says that supporting training will help rebalance the British economy and encourage sustainable growth
Proskills calls for Government to invest in skills to fuel recovery
The CBI’s latest quarterly SME Trends Survey has today revealed that 28% of UK’s small and medium-sized manufacturers are less optimistic than three months ago
DEL Launches New Service: 'Skills Solutions'
Skills Solutions is new service launched by DEL to advise employers on what DEL can offer them in Northern Ireland. All guidance and support is accessed through regional Skills Advisers.
The Skills Strategy: 'Success Through Skills - Transforming Futures'
The Department for Employment and Learning has launched the updated and revised ten year Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland: ‘Success through Skills – Transforming Futures’.
Training and Qualifications Survey
We invite you to participate in this major survey into usage of and attitudes to training and qualifications.
Insights into industry for London students
Students from Bacon’s College in South London visited printing company Velmex recently, specialists in large and wide format printing, gaining practical experience of the industry. Design teacher Sam Nanor said his students had benefitted greatly from the opportunity to learn about and use modern printing techniques
Reducing Red Tape
The process and manufacturing sector is an important part of the UK economy, yet unnecessary regulation continues to hamper its competitiveness. Proskills CEO Terry Watts welcomes the government’s plans to reduce the regulatory burden on businesses
Survey results point to positive future for furniture industry
A recent survey by Proskills has found that the number of students that would consider a career in the furniture industry increased three-fold after participating in the MakeIT! Furniture programme.
Proskills welcomes the new Low Carbon Action Plan
On the 20th of June, Business Minister Mark Prisk launched the new Low Carbon Construction Action Plan document, detailing the Government’s response to the recommendations made by the Innovation and Growth Team.
Celebrating the Proskills Sector Compact
The process and manufacturing sector is a vital part of the UK economy, supplying products and services on which many companies depend. Investing in the workforce skills of this sector that provides the very ‘fabric of society’ improves efficiency, safety and productivity, bringing tangible benefits to all.
Parliament debate on the future of packaging
A debate in Westminster Hall yesterday on the future of the packaging industry highlighted the importance of Proskills’ work. The debate was initiated by Conservative MP Mark Pawsey
Survey shows impact of PrintIT!
A survey has found that students participating in the PrintIT! programme were twice as likely to consider the print and paper industries ‘exciting’, ‘versatile and dynamic’ and ‘environmentally friendly’, and three times as likely to think about taking an apprenticeship after completing the programme.
Celebrating Success at South West College
The Dungannon Campus of South West College was the setting for a recent prize-giving ceremony in recognition of top achievers for the 2010/11 academic year. For the first time the excellence of those training and working within the Extractives industry was recognised with the Proskills Cup.
Ceramics - NOS review
We are now reviewing the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for the Ceramics Industry. Standards describe what an employee should be able to do and what they should understand
UK Master Fitter 2011 - Northern Ireland Results
The first ever Northern Ireland heat of the skills competition for Automotive Glazing was held on 1 June 2011 in Portadown campus of Southern Regional College. This very successful event showcased the best of skilled workers from the AutoGlazing industry.
Manufacturing industry seal of approval for Lincoln management courses
Management courses run by the University of Lincoln have received the seal of approval from employers in the UK process and manufacturing industry. Lincoln has become the first university in the country to secure Proskills Academy Accreditation.
MakeIT! Furniture announces its winner at the National School of Furniture in Oxford
The first ever MakeIT! Furniture awards ceremony was held at The National School of Furniture at Oxford & Cherwell Valley College as part of the Summer Show on the 13th June, bringing together industry experts, teachers and students to recognise Britain’s emerging talent.
Joint Investment Programme - Latest news
Proskills has been successful in securing funding from government for employers in the process and manufacturing sector for training and qualifications in the low carbon agenda. Under the terms of the JIP, employers will be able to access up to 50% funded support for QCF level 3 and 4 qualifications, which values the whole programme at some £56.0 million*
Building Products - NOS review
We are now reviewing the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Building Products. Standards describe what an employee should be able to do and what they should understand (see attached Suite of NOS )
A fresh approach to print qualifications
The UK print industry faces a tough economic climate, with short-term pressures meaning many companies are neglecting training. The development of new, flexible qualifications will allow learners to pick up new skills, from which both they and their employers will benefit
Supporting job creation in Scotland
Unemployment in Scotland has dropped for six consecutive quarters, but job creation will still be a key priority for the new Scottish government. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth, John Swinney, plans to continue support for training and apprenticeships.
Government plans to expand professional standards schemes
The skills minister John Hayes has outlined plans to expand professional standards schemes, saying that they have a critical part to play in the wider skills development agenda…
PrintIT! announces new chairman for 2011
Proskills, the sector skills council for the process and manufacturing industries, has announced that Tony Lock, Managing Director of Duplo UK, is the new Chairman of PrintIT!. He takes over from Wayne Barlow, Director-Professional Print of Canon UK, who took on the baton from Heidelberg’s George Clarke last year. The official handover will take place during a special sponsors and supporters reception, to be held after the PrintIT! 2011 Awards Ceremony on the last day of Northprint.
Digital Print Production - NOS review
We are now reviewing the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Digital Print Production. Standards describe what an employee should be able to do and what they should understand
BENEFITING FROM A NEW APPRENTICESHIP
Exeter-based construction supplier, Aggregate Industries, has become the first company in Extractives to benefit from a new Apprenticeship for the industry, with five recruits joining the company.
Moorcroft potters fast-track training as tubeliners
Three skilled Moorcroft pottery workers have completed their apprenticeships in one of the company’s signature design skills.
Wood Employer Makes Skills Pledge Milestone
JELD-WEN UK is celebrating becoming the 1000th company to sign the Proskills Sustainable Workforce Skills Pledge, demonstrating the company’s long-term commitment to upskilling its workforce and highlighting the growing support for skills development within the Process and Manufacturing Sector.
Give an individual a great start - and get up to £2000 for your business
New Employer Recruitment Incentive – Scotland
PrintIT! Select Finalists for Awards Ceremony at Northprint
A panel of printing industry representatives joined The Fairtrade Foundation and Proskills at Canon UK’s London-based showroom recently to shortlist the finalist entries and category winners for the PrintIT! 2010/11 Competition.
MakeIT! Furniture announce its finalists
Proskills and leading members of the Furniture Industry met in Nottingham on the 7th March to judge the entries and select the first ever finalists of the MakeIT! Furniture competition.
There are now just eight days left to apply for a Print Futures Award!
Don’t miss out on the chance of a valuable cash training grant. Download the entry form from www.printfuturesawards.com and submit by 12 April 2011
Pan Sector Project Update
The pan sector H&S project will be completed by the 31st March 2011. The main deliverables of the project are a new Sector Qualifications Strategy (SQS) for pan sector generic H&S, a revised set of National Occupational Standards (NOS) for the original ENTO generic standards for Health and Safety including (H&S) Regulators, H&S Practitioners and 10 generic stand alone NOS for H&S.
Employer Recruitment Incentive
New ‘Employer Recruitment Incentive’ through Skills Development Scotland
An update for employers within Wales regarding Apprenticeships
New funding has been made available for employers to make it easier for them to take on an Apprentice.
Government Eager to Get Britain Moving
Proskills welcomes the continuing focus on improving the skills of the workforce as the Government reveals the plans for its latest funding pot. However, process and manufacturing leaders are urging the Government to put funds where they will make the most difference for employers still struggling to recover from the recession.
Unionlearn Lend Support For Sustainable Sector
Employers in the Process and Manufacturing sector are being urged to get involved in the Joint Investment Programme (JIP), a scheme where employers can get up to 50% of the entire cost of training. Tom Wilson, director of unionlearn recommends action from employers now as these places are only available until 30th November and will be allocated on a first come served basis.
The Focus on Britain Must Not Be Lost
As the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) publishes its latest Trade and Investment strategy, leading figures from manufacturing look on with cautious optimism and offer words of warning to a government whose ambitious strategy could easily fail without the proper re-structuring of current systems.
£2.5 million for Small Business Employment Support
This fund will assist companies with less than 50 employees increase recruitment by providing an extra £1,000 subsidy to small businesses which face particular challenges in meeting the miscellaneous cost of recruiting additional staff such as drafting contracts of employment or setting up or expanding payroll systems.
£5 million for the Employer Recruitment Incentive
This initiative offers employers a £1,000 incentive direct to small and medium sized businesses to recruit a participant aged 18 or over who have been unemployed for 6 months or more into a new job.
Rise in fuel prices - Proskills comments
Manufacturers are struggling with 13.4% annual rise in prices. Terry Watts, CEO of Proskills comments further. “Reports that the price of materials and fuel paid by UK manufacturers rose at an annual rate of 13.4% in January, (Office for National Statistics) is worrying for the future of manufacturing in this country
H&S NOS consultation
Health and Safety is core to all work activities across all sectors, therefore it is important that all future qualifications and training courses meet the needs of industry. The attached national occupational standards are currently under review and will form the basis of a range of qualifications and training courses. These are the updated versions of the original ENTO 2007 versions of the same standards, comments would be welcome to ensure they are fit for purpose.
Funding still available for Managers in the South East for L&M
THIS FUNDING IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.
CONSULT THE FUNDING PAGE TO SEE WHAT IS ON OFFER.
Manufacturing Unites For Future of Apprenticeships
Leading bodies in Manufacturing have called for action from the government to provide support for Apprenticeships across the whole sector, as Ministers and industry figures attend the New Apprenticeship Agenda Conference.
Proskills Awarded ‘Investors In People’
Proskills, the Sector Skills Council for the Process and Manufacturing sector has been awarded the Investors In People (IIP) Standard, the UK’s leading people management standard run by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES).
ESOL opportunities for Employers and Employees
Tribal Education is expanding its range of products and services in English as a Second or Other Language to support employers and employees with flexible and bespoke training solutions, including new e-learning and m-learning content, and blended programmes to build sector-specific language skills for work.
Have your say about standards and qualifications for Sustainable Business Practice
It is estimated that UK businesses could save in excess of £6.4 billion per year by making simple changes to use resources more efficiently and help protect the environment and natural environment.
In response to this challenge Cogent is leading a project to develop cross-sector standards and qualifications linked to ‘Sustainable Business Practice’.
Employability Skills – What Employers Want
The Employability Matrix, which Asset Skills first developed in 2008, is now due for revision and there’s now an opportunity to share your views on the skills you consider essential for employability and so shape the content of future employability qualifications.
Launch of Essential Skills programmes for Quarry Products Industry
You are welcome to attend the launch of an Essential Skills programme for the Quarry Products Industry in Northern Ireland on 24 February in the Dungannon campus of SWC.
DEL budget now open for consultation
Department for Employment & Learning proposed budget 2011-2015 is now open to consultation.
DETI and DCAL open to consultation
Department of Enterprise, Trade & Investment have released their proposed budget for 2011 – 2015. This is open for consultation until 16 February 2011.
DEL Minister comments importance of skills for Northern Ireland
This article from DEL Minister Danny Kennedy on the importance of skills development for the NI Economy, has been published by Ulster Business magazine.
Consultation document on the development of HE strategy for NI
DEL NI has produced a consultation document on the development of a Higher Education Strategy for NI is now available.
H&S Pan Sector Project Update January 2011
The H&S project is now well underway with a second draft of the Sector Qualifications Strategy currently underway, this will be out for consultation later this month.
Development of Cross Sectoral NOS and Qualifications linked to Sustainable Business Practice
and Qualifications linked to Sustainable Business Practice
Cogent in partnership with other SSCs is developing Cross Sectoral NOS and Qualifications linked to Sustainable Business Practice.
Lord Digby Jones: Manufacturers Must Engage With Schools
As Proskills, the Sector Skills Council for process and manufacturing, launches four new Schools Into Industry Programmes (SIIP’s), Lord Digby Jones, former CBI head, challenges British manufacturers to play their part in strengthening the future of manufacturing by engaging with local schools.
NOS Guide for Scottish Employers
The Scottish Alliance of Sector Skills Council has developed a manual aimed at highlighting the importance and many uses of the National Occupational.
H&S Pan Sector Project Update December 2010
The H&S project is still on track although timescales are very tight. The first draft of the Sector Qualifications’ Strategy is still out on consultation; to try to ensure the information is current and correct the SQS has been re-circulated to both SSCs and Awarding Organisations including Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) to ensure that their views are captured.
DigIT! To BuildIT! Is A Hit At Bretby 2010
DigIT! to BuildIT! was launched at Bretby 2010 – Building a Greener Future, at the Bretby Conference Centre with the aim to attract young people into the exciting industries of Extractives, and Building Products.
The Future of the Skills Pledge
In the Governments Skills Strategy document released on 16th November 2010, ministers have decided to change the generic National Skills Pledge into a sector-specific pledge – much like the Proskills Sustainable Workforce Pledges that each of the Proskills industries have designed.
Train to Gain Swapped for SME focused programme
Small & Medium Enterprises (SME’s) seem to have benefited greatly from the new skills strategy, and rightly so, but it is not the case that the focus has been shifted towards SMEs – it is rather that it has been taken away from larger businesses.
Government to increase adult apprenticeships
The coalition government has made it clear that Apprenticeships will be at the heart of the skills system as it develops, and as the new Skills Strategy reconfirmed this by stating that there will be an increase in adult apprentices of 75,000 apprenticeships being awarded each year, for the next four years.
Growth and Innovation fund of up to £50 million
The Growth and Innovation Fund will be a fund of up to 50m a year, supported by co-funding from employers.
£1m for manufacturing training in Wales
Proskills has been working with other Sector Skills Councils that represent the manufacturing industries in Wales to secure more than £1 million in funding in order to deliver training for Welsh manufacturers.
60,000 new green jobs for Scotland
The Scottish Government launched their Low Carbon Economic Strategy for Scotland on 15th November. This is a plan to create new green jobs and capture the opportunities of the low carbon economy.
PrintIT! Rolls out to Northern Ireland
Following the success of PrintIT! throughout England and Scotland, the hugely successful Schools Into Industry Programme is now being piloted in Northern Ireland.
H&S Pan Sector Project Update November 2010
The Pan Sector H&S project is running to plan although more involvement by employers would be very welcome to ensure that their views are captured.
New Apprenticeship Frameworks for England & Wales
Proskills is currently working with the Industry Qualification Reform Groups to review the following apprenticeship frameworks against the new specifications for England & Wales, if you are interested in contributing to the development of any of these frameworks please contact Alison Bucknell
Recognition in sector for outstanding contribution
The Proskills Awards 2010, held on November 4 at Alton Towers, celebrated the achievements made by individuals and companies in training and up-skilling within the Process and Manufacturing Sector.
Matthew Cassells in CAT magazine
CAT magazine published a feature on Matthews Cassells, the winner of the UK Master Fitter Competition 2010 in its November issue.
Paper sector confirms commitment to H&S
The European paper sector has reiterated its aspirational target of zero accidents in a new health and safety project that centres on a good practice guide.
Proskills UK celebrates new talent
in the UK workforce at the Proskills Awards 2010
Last night the hard work and commitment made by the process and manufacturing sector in training and up skilling their workforce, were once again recognised at the Proskills Awards 2010.
Have your say on skills and training
We are currently gathering information regarding skills issues in the Process and Manufacturing sector as part of our research activities. This is your opportunity to have your say on skills and training issues – the results are used by Proskills in our reports to government and will help to set qualification strategy across the UK. Your answers will be kept confidential and will never be used to identify you.
PrintIT! Winners Trip to Canon Expo in Paris
The 2009/2010 PrintIT! Awards, now a well-established event in the print industry calendar, took place at Ipex, the global event for print, publishing and media.
Students prove they have got IT!
Following the success of PrintIT! Proskills, the Sector Skills Council for the process and manufacturing sector, has launched another four ‘Schools into Industry Programmes’ which includes MakeIT! Furniture, which has been launched this week at W10 with the aim to attract young people into the Furniture industry.
The abolition of the Train to Gain
The abolition of the Train to Gain funding scheme as announced in the Comprehensive Spending review on the 20th October has been on the cards for sometime but there is no defined timetable at present.
New Apprenticeship Frameworks for England & Wales
Proskills is currently working with the Industry Qualification Reform Groups to review the following apprenticeship frameworks against the new specifications for England & Wales:
Business and Enterprise Minister on his second day of ‘work experience’
Business and Enterprise Minister Mark Prisk will spend today undertaking ‘work experience’ at Ashley Anderson Ltd, a furniture manufacturer based in the West Midlands. This will be Mr Prisk’s second day working with small businesses, enabling him to gain better insight into the experiences of companies on the ground.
Scottish Green Training Opportunities
Scottish Government has announced Hundreds of new training places for employers supporting the Low Carbon Economy.
Spending Review Raises Investment in Apprentices
George Osborne has today (20th Oct) announced the results of the Comprehensive Spending Review, and the cuts that the coalition government will make in order to tackle UK’s budget deficit. As part of this review, the Department of Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) is to face cuts of £400m, or around 25% of its resource.
Wood NOS review
We are reviewing the National Occupational Standards for the Wood Industry.
Proskills calls for employers to help review Print NOS
National Occupational Standards (NOS) are benchmarks of performance. They provide the means for assessing performance in a job: they are work-related statements of the ability, knowledge, understanding and experience that an individual should have in order to be able to carry out key tasks effectively.
Proskills welcomes Ongoing Review of the Skills System
Proskills, the Sector Skills Council for Processing and Manufacturing, has welcomed the announcements made today as part of the ongoing review of public services. This process will include a full review of the bodies that have responsibilities for developing skills and qualifications across the UK.
Consultation extended for H&S NOS review
We are in the process to review the National Occupational Standards for Health and Safety. To assist with this review, we are running a survey. To date we have had 85 individuals accessing the survey and the consultation has been extended to the 29th of October.
UK Master Fitter represents UK in International Final
For the first time the UK has been represented at the International Master Fitter competition which took place on the 31st September and 1st October in Düsseldorf.
Matthew Cassells from Chorley who works for Nationwide Windscreen Services was the winner of the UK Master Fitter competition and went to compete at the international final.
Proskills is taking the lead on Pan Sector H&S
Part of this work is a review of the current National Occupational Standards for generic H&S.
Print giant Communisis looking for apprentices
Print giant Communisis is to take on five apprentices at its Leeds print and direct mail facility.
NIQuarryPortal.com shortlisted for major award
Tom Bowtell, General Manager Proskills UK and Diane Weatherup, Northern Ireland Manager were delighted to attend the Sustainable Ireland Awards 2010 held in the Grand Ballroom of the Ramada hotel, Belfast on Wednesday 15 September 2010.
Scotland's Best Workplaces
The Alliance of Sector Skills Councils in Scotland has recently secured a number of free registration places for the ‘Scotland’s Best Workplaces’ initiative, which is run by the Great Place to Work Institute.
New Local Enterprise Partnerships criss-cross the country
The commitment and ambition shown by councils and business to radically reshape the way business and government interact at the local level was praised by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles and Business Secretary Vince Cable today.
Divine Papal Furniture
British designer and maker of fine custom furniture commisioned for Papal visit
JIP - plan submitted is worth over £7million
Joint Investment Programme for training in low carbon topics – plan submitted is worth over £7million.
Help reshape essential skills provision within the Extractives Industry
You are invited to a consultation and information session about a new funded learning opportunity specifically for the Extractives Industry
NI Careers Leaflets now available
Proskills in Northern Ireland works to promote our industries to its future workforce.
Consultation on sucess through skills 2
The Department for Employment and Learning is consulting on a draft revised Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland – Success through Skills 2.
Sustainability Project for NI Extractives Industry Shortlisted for Prestigious Award
A joint project between Proskills, QPANI & South West College has been shortlisted as one of only 3 finalists to win a prestigious award from the Sustainable Ireland publication.
Scottish Survey of Adult Literacies
The Scottish Government has published the findings of the Scottish Survey of Adult Literacies (SSAL) 2009
Proskills secures funding for print qualifications
Proskills UK is pleased to confirm that OFQUAL have re-accredited print qualifications
Cafe Culture Movement
Skills Minister John Hayes today called on all UK businesses to promote informal learning at work, following pledges from sixty-four innovative companies to increase informal workplace training for their staff.
Twin with a local school & invest in your future workforce
This autumn, Proskills is launching 4 new Schools into Industry Programmes to introduce schools and students to the extractives, building products, glass, furniture making and glazed ceramics industries and this is your chance to benefit from working with a local school.
Smurfit Kappa offer vocational placements
With unemployment on the increase over the past couple of years and many people desperate for work during the economic downturn, it has become increasingly difficult for recent school-leavers and graduates to find work and each year the competition grows.
JOINT INVESTMENT PROGRAMME
Lean times ahead for skills funding from Government, but Proskills close to winning the lions share for Process Manufacturing
Pan Sector H&S
In 2009 Proskills took the lead for the Skills for Business Network (SfBN) in the pan sector generic Health and Safety (H&S) project. This followed on from work that had been undertaken in 2007.
Help for furnishing industry students
New scheme of bursaries and scholarships for furnishing industry students
Funding available towards Scottish employees developing new skills
Small Scottish businesses have the opportunity to apply for up to 50% of their employee training costs
Dudson win Education Award
Ceramics company Dudson win Employer Engagement Award 2009-2010
Woodworking student wins Vocational Learner of the Year Award
Gary Ramsden from Warwickshire College was named VQ Learner of the Year 2010
Anyone can turn their lives around and learn new skills
Unemployment figures are still high…..
TTF CEO comments on Proskills
John White attended the latest meeting of the Proskills Wood Industry Board
Funding Update for Qualifications
Summary of the main changes to the current funding and qualification structures
Glass introduces new qualifications under QCF
The new qualification structure for the Glass and Related Industries is currently being rolled out and here are the new pathways.
Women in furnishing awards - the winners
Tean Dallaway, the group finance director instrumental in reversing the fortunes of the Airsprung Furniture Group, has been named ‘Businesswoman of The Year’ in the first ever Women In Furnishing Awards.
Fundable qualifications update - 25 June 2010
Proskills is pleased to inform you that we have successfully challenged the withdrawal of funding for the following qualifications …
Emergency Budget Review
no direct indication of how cuts will affect the skills system or public support for employer training
Letter to Dr Vince Cable MP
Proskills letter to Dr Vince Cable MP regarding investment in skills and the Joint Investment Programme.
Government should invest in skills training
Proskills calls for Government to invest in skills training and development
5,000 New Modern Apprenticeships
An extra 5,000 apprenticeship places have been created in Scotland
ICT entry level classes to anyone in Northern Ireland
DEL as part of their Essential Skills provision, will provide free ICT entry level classes to anyone in Northern Ireland from the 1st August 2010.
DEL funded LEAN Management training course
Lean Management is a high impact programme which challenges businesses to view their organisations differently.
34 Pilkington employees in Scotland presented NVQ Glass Processing L2 Certificates
On the 7th May at Pilkington in Cumbernauld Scotland, the Vocational College presented NVQ Glass Processing Level 2 Certificates to 34 Pilkington employees.
Winner of PrintIT! Awards
The annual PrintIT! Awards, has taken place at Ipex attracting a host of industry figures and finalist schools. The event celebrated the hard work and achievements of the thousands of students who took part in this year’s PrintIT! competition.
Proskills welcomes new Government
But warns the coalition that skills investment in Manufacturing needs to be protected
Subsidised Leadership & Management Training
Businesses and Individuals who have been affected by the recession could be eligible for a subsidy on training costs of 80%.
Health and Safety
Proskills SSC was contracted by the HSE to deliver a number of pilot programmes encouraging collaborative working between line managers and representatives for employee safety/safety representatives.
Last month to enter Proskills Awards
May is the last month in which you can still enter the Proskills Awards for 2010.
Auto windscreen business benefits after training
The training and qualification success and investment that Auto Windscreens has made has lead to business benefits.
Dudson Apprentice
Traditional skills are likely to be lost unless we can transfer their knowledge and skills
Train The Trainer
The Train the Trainer project has been established to develop a network of accredited in-house trainers
Funding Projects
The Sectoral Development Branch of DELNI encourages the Sector Skills Councils and other relevant organisations in Northern Ireland to positively impact on their sector by providing support to them to undertake specific projects that meet the skills needs of their particular sector
Absolute Training Solution success story
New Liverpool based training provider Absolute Training Solutions Ltd are celebrating their first NVQ achievements within the glass sector.
Case studies make national press
This month, we secured an article in The Sun on the 4th March following a push on our apprenticeship case studies.
Proskills announces Union learning rep awards
Proskills 2010 awards have expanded their categories and this year there will be an award for Union Learning Representative of the Year.
National Strategic Skills Audit
The first National Strategic Skills Audit was published yesterday (17th March) by UKCES
Proskills responds to concerns over PrintIT!
Proskills responds to industry concerns over the future of PrintIT!
Action Learning and PLATO in SE
The Leadership Academy, a project funded by HEFCE and SEEDA aims to provide support to business leaders during the recession.
We have funding to facilitate 10 Action Learning Sets for anybody involved in an organisation at managerial level or above, and based within the South East.
Management and Leadership information
A successful business requires good management and leadership. A good manager will use clear processes and rational methods to maximise the output of the organization; good leaders will use passion and emotion to inspire the workforce.
Proskills Restructure
Like all the employers in our sector, the recession has had a significant impact on income at Proskills, and this has forced us to re-structure the organisation which will unfortunately lead to several redundancies.
Johnson Tiles In-House Scheme
Johnson Tiles are the UK’s leading manufacturer and importer of ceramic wall and floor tiles. They have over 100 years of experience which reflects in their design, quality and the environmental measures.
The Furniture Industry Is Not Dying
Recent press following the unfortunate collapse of HJ Berry & Sons has falsely asserted that the furniture industry in the UK is dying.
Manufacturing shows fastest growth
Statistics reported that Manufacturing shows fastest growth for 15 years’ is great news for the sector.The boost in sales and the rise in employment is a positive start to 2010, but this is just the beginning.
Paper Manufacturing Standards
Proskills are currently developing National Occupational Standards for Paper Manufacturing. National Occupational Standards define what an individual needs to do, know, and understand in order to carry out a particular job.
North East Manufacturing Boss Champions New Diploma
The owner of a company which manufactures heavy building materials in the north-east has declared his support for a new qualification which prepares teenagers for the world of work.
PrintIT! Scotland
The Scottish Government has welcomed a major industry-backed vocational initiative, PrintIT! The Scottish Government has welcomed a major industry-backed vocational initiative aimed at encouraging students to consider a future career in print while supporting teachers in their delivery of the Standard Grade Graphic Communication Course.
Apprenticeships - An Employers Perspective
Wirral Partnership Homes (WPH) are one of the largest employers of construction apprentices in the Wirral area and currently employ a total of 20 construction apprentices. In the past 5 years, WPH’s apprentice section has received 25 awards.
Employees can request time to train
From April 2010, employees in businesses who employ 250 or more people will have the right to request time to train. Only employees who have worked for you for 26 weeks will be eligible to make a request under the new right. The right will be extended to cover employees in businesses of all sizes in April 2011.
Ceramics Cluster area awards finalists
The North Staffordshire ceramics cluster has been successful in their application to the Central Government’s Cluster Mark competition, and is one of the cluster finalists to be put forward for the National Awards.
DigIT! To BuildIT!
Our latest Students and Schools into Industry Programme, DigIT! to BuildIT!, is now live with its own website and as of this month is being launched to schools across England.
Manufacturing is a diverse sector, and is not homogeneous
Manufacturing as a sector is still suffering from the negative effects of the recession, and 2009 was the worst year in decades; all industries were hit hard.
Yet, manufacturing is a diverse sector, and is not as homogeneous as it is frequently portrayed; the problems and successes faced by different sub-sectors vary significantly.
Learning Bites
A new suite of modular vocational qualifications will be available for the Glass and Related Industries from January 2010.
Proskills on the Pre-Budget Report
The government’s pre-budget report was released yesterday (9th December) and Proskills welcomes the continuing commitment to improving the skills of the UK workforce.
Boss champions new Diploma
The owner of a company which manufactures heavy building materials in the north-east has declared his support for a new qualification which prepares teenagers for the world of work.
Paper Industry, Qualification Reform Group seeks new members
The QRG has been an influential group in shaping the qualification framework of the Paper industry. However, in order to ensure that this work and any future developments the QRG make are truly reflective of the whole industry’s needs, the group must provide the opportunity for greater employer involvement and representation of the Paper industry.
Great leaders and managers are 'Made not Born'
The Department for Employment and Learning have recently launched the “Made not Born” campaign to promote Leadership and Management Skills Development across Northern Ireland.
Do you know what impact training has on your business?
Proskills Academy Products and Services have developed a customer survey to establish the demand for the development of a Return in Investment Tool.
Scottish Print Apprentice in the MA award finals
The finalists for the 2009 Scottish Modern Apprenticeship Awards have been announced…
Achiever of the Year
As special mark of recognition and admiration, the Achiever of the Year is awarded to the candidate who the judges felt displayed true grit and determination in working towards learning goals, and has gone the extra mile to overcome adversity to get where they are today.
Apprentice of the Year
Gary Parton, a Mechanical Engineer from Ibstock Brick, Newcastle under Lyme was named ‘Apprentice of the Year’.
Advanced Apprentice of the Year
The top honour of the evening went to Paul Harvey, a Glazier from Wirral Partnership Homes, Birkenhead, who was presented with the ‘Advanced Apprentice of the Year’ award sponsored by GQA.
Apprenticeship Awards Winners Announced
In its third year, the Proskills Apprenticeship awards celebrate a high calibre of entries from across the UK. The three award categories, Advanced Apprentice of the Year, Apprentice of the Year and Achiever of the Year, acknowledge and celebrate apprentice’s commitment to their work, development and to the outstanding contribution that they have made to their workplace.
A Step Forward but Still Room for Improvement
Following the recent publication of the Government’s Skills Strategy, Terry Watts, Chief Executive of Proskills UK, welcomed the enhanced role for SSCs but is concerned that the new skills strategy is not doing enough for industry and the existing workforce.
New Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design website launched
The new Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design (MPD) website tailored to meet the needs of schools and colleges, employers and students has been launched to tie in with the start of the Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design itself.
Delivering Skills That Work for Wales
Skills That Work for Wales’; a Skills and Employment Strategy and Action Plan is building on the One Wales Manifesto commitment to reform funding arrangements for schools and further education by establishing a more demand-led and responsive skills system.
New occupational health initiative in Scotland
Launch of a new occupational health initiative for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Scotland includes a free toolkit on common health risks and how to manage them was launched on 4 Sept 2009 in Scotland.
Peter Davys honoured
Peter Davys, managing partner of Orrest Business Solutions and a well known figurehead in the UK chemical industry has been recognised by Len Jennings, outgoing President of the Oil & Colour Chemists Association (OCCA), with the awarding of the President’s Medal for his contribution to the association and the coatings industry in general.
Functional Skills Support Programme for schools and training centres
The Functional Skills Support Programme (FSSP) is designed to prepare practitioners, leaders and managers to deliver functional skills, from developing applied learning to adopting a whole-organisational approach to functional skills implementation.
New learning theme on the Green Skills Agenda
You are invited to participate in a new Learning Theme which is just starting on the topical subject of the green skills agenda.
Wage compensation for employers with less than 50 employees
Companies that have less than 50 employees potentially are still entitled to claim Wage Compensation through the Skills Brokers whilst any learners are on a programme. This could be used to compensate them for any time lost whilst on first level 2 NVQ or level 3 jumpers.
Funding for Glass Modern Apprenticeships from Skills Development Scotland
Proskills in Scotland has been working with Glass Industry Training Providers to source funding for Glass Modern Apprenticeships from Skills Development Scotland. Proskills is pleased to announce that Independent Windscreens have received funding for 109 Apprentices and RT Resources have funding for 50 Apprentices to be delivered by March 2010.
Have your say in the development of the Advanced level Diploma in Science
The Advanced level Diploma in Science is the most significant development in science education in many years and will begin teaching in September 2012
Train the trainer course in Portadown
Proskills is to fund the Train the trainer course in Portadown which is open to all sectors.
HSE in partnership with Proskills are trialling a free, new health and safety training course
To help organisations realise the many benefits associated with good workforce involvement, such as lower accident rates, HSE in partnership with Proskills, are providing a free, new health and safety training course.
Medallion of Excellence for Cabinet Maker and Stonemason
Oliver Clack, 21, a stonemason and Luke Griffiths, 22, a cabinet maker both from Chichester have won a medallion of excellence at the largest skills based competition in the world.
Proskills & The QRG achieve approval for a new Paper Apprenticeship Framework
Proskills, the Sector Skills Council for the Process & Manufacturing sector and the newly formed Qualifications Reform Group (QRG), an industry group represented by employers and training providers, have developed and met requirements for approval of a Paper Apprenticeship framework.
ApprenticeshipsNI / Training for Success
It is widely agreed that a properly trained labour force is fundamental to a thriving economy. Through the delivery of well structured and tailored training, Northern Ireland can realise a truly skilled workforce.
New Foundation Degree for the Furniture Industry now available in Northern Ireland
South West College in Northern Ireland have added a new product to their existing portfolio. A new Foundation Degree has been developed for employees in the Furniture, Furnishings and Interiors industry, which is now being delivered by South West College.
Improved access to to training in the Manufacturing Sector for all employers
Proskills, the SSC for the Process & manufacturing sector, has joined forces with four other sector skills councils, Cogent, Improve Ltd, Semta and Skillfast-UK, as The Manufacturing Skills Alliance (MSA) in what is to be a unified approach in simplifying the processes in which manufacturing employers can address skills shortages and access the right support and training.
BFC secures credit insurance victory
The Government’s trade credit insurance top-up scheme will now be backdated…
Glass Apprenticeship Approval
Neil Robinson is thrilled to announce that thanks to GQA and Proskills there will be funding in excess of £2M…
Plea to the Print and Paper Industries
Richard Moore makes a plea to the Paper and Print industries to help Proskills in shaping the skills and training within the industries…
Plea to the Glass Industry
Neil Robinson asks employers in the Glass and Related Industries to help Proskills by joining forces to shape training in the industry…
Future of training in the Furniture Industry
Proskills asks the Furniture, Furnishings and Interiors Industry to make a difference in the future of skills training…
SERAQ achieve TQS Part B
SERAC are the first training providers in the Extractive and Mineral Processing industry to achieve the Training Quality Standard Part B…
Plea to the Glazed Ceramics Industry
Proskills makes a plea to employers to get involved in the future of skills training in the glazed ceramics industry…
Proskills spearheads MSA plan
Proskills joins forces with four other SSC’s to improve access to skills training in the manufacturing sector…
Adopt an apprentice
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Proskills Welsh Language Scheme Approved by the Welsh Language Board
Proskills is pleased to announce that on the 13th of May the Welsh Language Board formally approved the Proskills Welsh Language Scheme.