Launch of new research project on enterprise education

With the world economy facing turbulent times and individual countries rethinking how they and their citizens can flourish in the global marketplace, many would argue that the importance of enterprise education has never been greater. But does this mean teaching people how to write a business plan or is it about gaining a broader set of skills essential to success in the 21st Century?

Government offers careers advice through Facebook

Today saw the launch of the government’s ‘7 Day Jobs Challenge’, a new Facebook campaign that offers young people advice on finding work.

Developed by the Department of Work and Pensions, the Challenge is Aimed at 18 to 24 year olds, and particularly those awaiting their GCSE and A-Level results.

Users will be able to find daily tips on finding a job, advice from celebrity experts such as The Apprentice winner Michelle Dewberry and Reggae Reggae sauce creator Levi Roots on writing a CV and setting up your own business, and daily discussions – all aimed at helping young people improve their employability skills.

Visit the 7 Day Jobs Challenge

Nicki

The Co-operative Group launches £9m Apprenticeship Academy

Job prospects for young people were boosted yesterday with the launch of The Co-operative Group’s ambitious Apprenticeship Academy which aims to provide some 2,000 jobs to young people over the next three years.

In addition to offering ‘proper jobs with real career opportunities’ whilst based within The Co-operative’s business group (which includes food, pharmacy, motors, legal, financial services, farming and funeral services) , the Academy will provide apprentices with competitive salaries and the opportunity to develop transferrable skills.

“With youth unemployment hitting the highest rate in nearly 20 years and almost one million 16 to 25 year olds out of work, it’s a really tough time to be a young person in Britain, said Group Chief Executive Peter Marks. “We believe businesses have a real responsibility to help motivate and inspire young people by giving them new opportunities to gain the skills, knowledge and experiences to be pioneers for their generation.”

Source: The Co-operative Group, read full story

Nicki, Business Director

CBI: Students want universities to better explain employability skills

The importance of students learning ‘employability skills’ in the classroom was highlighted last week with the results of the latest CBI/National Union of Students Education & Skills survey.

Just over half of students surveyed (57%) said they want their university to do more to help them with employability skills – including numeracy, teamwork, self-management and business awareness.

The results showed that employability skills are “the single most important consideration for 82% of businesses when recruiting graduates. However 70% of employers said that university students need to do more to prepare themselves to be effective in the workplace.”

CBI Director for Education & Skills, Susan Anderson said, “Competition for jobs is intense and graduate unemployment remains high, so students need to proactively develop relevant employability skills. But at the same time all universities need to explain these skills better and make sure they embed them in teaching.”

Nationwide Education (www.NationwideEducation.co.uk) is currently developing an Employability Skills programme, due out this summer. It will focus on teaching all ages (in particular secondary school students and above) about the world of work, and the key employability skills they will need to enter it.

To read more about the CBI results you can view the press release here:
http://www.cbi.org.uk/ndbs/press.nsf/0363c1f07c6ca12a8025671c00381cc7/60519e9e213d34268025788f003808ef?OpenDocument

MG, Account Manager

Apprenticeships Week: Government backing

7-13 February is ’Apprenticeships’ week which has received backing from Government -

‘Prime Minister David Cameron gives backing to Apprenticeships’

‘Cable urges more business to say ‘you’re hired’ to an apprentice’

Source: www.apprenticeships.org.uk 

Link: http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/About-Us/News/February-2011.aspx