Story published in on the FE News website, Saturday, October 15, 2011
Colleges that want to achieve success in science should treat students as individuals, ensure lessons are interactive and relevant and make smart use of technology, according to an Ofsted study published yesterday.
The regulator visited 15 colleges across England in Spring 2011.
A total 12 colleges had been judged as good or excellent in recent inspections, the remaining three were either located in areas of high deprivation or offered a wide range of science courses.
The researchers found the best colleges were aware of students' backgrounds, able to identify starting points and go on from there.
The best teachers were able to relate the curriculum to the student's own experiences and design lessons which were manageable and relevant.
Questions were often used to stimulate discussion and debate. Field trips, site visits and work-placements made the courses more varied and interesting.
The best teachers helped their students get the most out of practical sessions, offering assistance in setting up equipment and working with them during experiments, to increase their confidence and develop investigative skills.
High performing departments made full use of technology – using video, audio and animations.
Students were encouraged to use the technology to make their own presentations, and virtual learning environments enabled students to work at their own pace, from home.
The best colleges offered students additional support, all year round, not just in the run-up to exams.
In the best departments, staff worked together to develop the curriculum, analyse results and develop each other's skills.
However, the authors were concerned at the quality of careers advice available to science students, and felt that learners studying science at foundation or intermediate level had less choice than those taking other subjects.
Saturday, 15 October 2011
Friday, 14 October 2011
Drop in teenage enrolments worries college leaders
Pulbished in FE News, Thursday, October 13, 2011
Nearly half of FE colleges have seen a drop in the numbers of 16-19-year-olds enrolling for courses this September, according to a study by the Association of Colleges (AoC), published today.
College leaders blamed the end of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for new students, competition from other colleges and cuts to transport for the decline.
The Association of Colleges, which represents FE Colleges, Sixth Forms and Specialist Colleges, surveyed its 347 members in England, 164 responded and 49 per cent reported a drop in the numbers of 16-19-year-olds enrolling for courses.
The South West was hardest hit, with 66 per cent of colleges reporting a decline, followed by the West Midlands, the North East and North West.
49 per cent of those who reported a decline, said numbers were down by less than 5 per cent, but 22 per cent said enrolments fell by over 10 per cent and four colleges reported falls of over 15 per cent.
Enrolments for Level 3 courses seem to be holding up better than for Levels 1 and 2.
23 per cent of respondents said that enrolments for Level 3 courses were falling, while 41 per cent reported a drop off in interest for courses at Level 1.
Science, maths, engineering, motor mechanics and history are increasing in popularity, whilst media, sport, hairdressing and art and design seem to be waning.
53 per cent of colleges who responded said that they would be topping up the bursary fund, with 14 colleges contributing over 50 per cent extra.
But the picture is mixed. 42 per cent of colleges reported an increase in enrolments for the age group.
Overall, the numbers of 16-19-year-olds enrolling in the sample colleges fell by 598, a drop of 0.1 per cent; the first time absolute numbers have fallen for this age-group in 15-20 years.
56 per cent of colleges said they were spending more to subsidise 16-19 transport, while 60 per cent reported a decline in local authority spending on transport for this age group.
79 per cent of respondents believed that providing free school meals to disadvantaged 16-19-year-olds would improve participation.
Commenting on the results, Martin Doel, chief executive at the Association of Colleges, said the results painted a complex picture.
He believed that some changes may be due to demographics, a drop of 40,000 in the 16-18 age-group, while the decline in enrolments by Level 1 students may be partly explained by rising school standards.
But he was concerned that the results may point to a more worrying trend of more vulnerable young people disappearing from college and school rolls
"There could be longer-term socio-economic implications if the trends suggested by this research are borne out by further studies," he said.
Tom Pierce, NUS Vice President (Further Education), believed that the drop in numbers is due to the abolition of the Education Maintenance Allowance.
"Ministers were warned over and over again by teachers, students, parents, economists and college leaders that scrapping EMA would harm participation in further education and now they are reaping what they sowed," said Pierce.
"In an increasingly hostile jobs market and a stagnant economy for many young people further education is their only chance to get a foot-hold in the world.
"The Government didn't listen and its paltry replacement is a failure, they must admit they were wrong and properly support young people to get the skills they need to build a life for themselves."
But a Department for Education spokesman said record numbers of 16 and 17-year-olds were already in education or training, with 1.5 million places and 360,000 apprenticeships, guaranteeing a suitable place in sixth-form, college or work-based training for every student.
"We are targeting financial support at students who need it most to get through their studies – through the new £180m a year bursary fund, with further transitional support available for those students who were already drawing the EMA," he said.
The AoC will undertake future research into enrolment patterns and student retention and will repeat its enrolment survey in September 2012 to monitor the situation year on year.
Nearly half of FE colleges have seen a drop in the numbers of 16-19-year-olds enrolling for courses this September, according to a study by the Association of Colleges (AoC), published today.
College leaders blamed the end of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for new students, competition from other colleges and cuts to transport for the decline.
The Association of Colleges, which represents FE Colleges, Sixth Forms and Specialist Colleges, surveyed its 347 members in England, 164 responded and 49 per cent reported a drop in the numbers of 16-19-year-olds enrolling for courses.
The South West was hardest hit, with 66 per cent of colleges reporting a decline, followed by the West Midlands, the North East and North West.
49 per cent of those who reported a decline, said numbers were down by less than 5 per cent, but 22 per cent said enrolments fell by over 10 per cent and four colleges reported falls of over 15 per cent.
Enrolments for Level 3 courses seem to be holding up better than for Levels 1 and 2.
23 per cent of respondents said that enrolments for Level 3 courses were falling, while 41 per cent reported a drop off in interest for courses at Level 1.
Science, maths, engineering, motor mechanics and history are increasing in popularity, whilst media, sport, hairdressing and art and design seem to be waning.
53 per cent of colleges who responded said that they would be topping up the bursary fund, with 14 colleges contributing over 50 per cent extra.
But the picture is mixed. 42 per cent of colleges reported an increase in enrolments for the age group.
Overall, the numbers of 16-19-year-olds enrolling in the sample colleges fell by 598, a drop of 0.1 per cent; the first time absolute numbers have fallen for this age-group in 15-20 years.
56 per cent of colleges said they were spending more to subsidise 16-19 transport, while 60 per cent reported a decline in local authority spending on transport for this age group.
79 per cent of respondents believed that providing free school meals to disadvantaged 16-19-year-olds would improve participation.
Commenting on the results, Martin Doel, chief executive at the Association of Colleges, said the results painted a complex picture.
He believed that some changes may be due to demographics, a drop of 40,000 in the 16-18 age-group, while the decline in enrolments by Level 1 students may be partly explained by rising school standards.
But he was concerned that the results may point to a more worrying trend of more vulnerable young people disappearing from college and school rolls
"There could be longer-term socio-economic implications if the trends suggested by this research are borne out by further studies," he said.
Tom Pierce, NUS Vice President (Further Education), believed that the drop in numbers is due to the abolition of the Education Maintenance Allowance.
"Ministers were warned over and over again by teachers, students, parents, economists and college leaders that scrapping EMA would harm participation in further education and now they are reaping what they sowed," said Pierce.
"In an increasingly hostile jobs market and a stagnant economy for many young people further education is their only chance to get a foot-hold in the world.
"The Government didn't listen and its paltry replacement is a failure, they must admit they were wrong and properly support young people to get the skills they need to build a life for themselves."
But a Department for Education spokesman said record numbers of 16 and 17-year-olds were already in education or training, with 1.5 million places and 360,000 apprenticeships, guaranteeing a suitable place in sixth-form, college or work-based training for every student.
"We are targeting financial support at students who need it most to get through their studies – through the new £180m a year bursary fund, with further transitional support available for those students who were already drawing the EMA," he said.
The AoC will undertake future research into enrolment patterns and student retention and will repeat its enrolment survey in September 2012 to monitor the situation year on year.
Saturday, 8 October 2011
Training is 'no brainer' for Paphitis
Story published in FE News, Friday, October 7, 2011
Three key figures from the world of business spoke to FE News about the importance of training and shared some of their good practice with us; at the recent National Training Awards ceremony.
Theo Paphitis, chairman of Ryman's Stationary and star of the BBC's Dragon's Den programme, who presented the awards, said training was not talked about, but without it none of us would have a business.
"We are in what is the most serious downturn in history," said Paphitis.
"The only way we can survive is to ensure that we have the skills to stay competitive. It's a no brainer, without it we would not have the skills we need, without it we would not be competitive, without it our business would cost a lot, lot more."
Chris Banks, chair of the Winner of the Year panel and founder of the Independent College Partnership, which supports FE colleges to become mutuals, felt it was important to celebrate outstanding training that delivered for the employers, individuals and the communities they served.
"At the heart is the [training] provider," said Banks.
"The better, more efficient and focused a provider can be, the more value we can add as a sector to individuals and their communities." he said.
Meanwhile, Andy Cross, director of learning and development at BT, explained why the company had been shortlisted for two awards at the event.
Firstly, they re-wrote the training programme for those going into consumer sales; the people who answer the phone when you want a phone line or request BT vision, said Cross.
"The training was taking 19 weeks, you can train a pilot in less time," he said.
The company canvassed managers for ideas like re-writing the advert so it clearly explained the role, and they have brough thet training time down to eight weeks, cutting costs by £1.2m.
"By making it far more brand, mindset, product led rather than teaching them every aspect of the job; people came out able to sell far better than their colleagues in the contact centres," he continued.
The company was also nominated for iTool, an iPad style e-learning app, which allows managers to train sales staff to use BT's new product directory.
"All of the training we do is grounded in improving customer service here at BT, and we are always looking for those innovative ways of doing that," he added.
Three key figures from the world of business spoke to FE News about the importance of training and shared some of their good practice with us; at the recent National Training Awards ceremony.
Theo Paphitis, chairman of Ryman's Stationary and star of the BBC's Dragon's Den programme, who presented the awards, said training was not talked about, but without it none of us would have a business.
"We are in what is the most serious downturn in history," said Paphitis.
"The only way we can survive is to ensure that we have the skills to stay competitive. It's a no brainer, without it we would not have the skills we need, without it we would not be competitive, without it our business would cost a lot, lot more."
Chris Banks, chair of the Winner of the Year panel and founder of the Independent College Partnership, which supports FE colleges to become mutuals, felt it was important to celebrate outstanding training that delivered for the employers, individuals and the communities they served.
"At the heart is the [training] provider," said Banks.
"The better, more efficient and focused a provider can be, the more value we can add as a sector to individuals and their communities." he said.
Meanwhile, Andy Cross, director of learning and development at BT, explained why the company had been shortlisted for two awards at the event.
Firstly, they re-wrote the training programme for those going into consumer sales; the people who answer the phone when you want a phone line or request BT vision, said Cross.
"The training was taking 19 weeks, you can train a pilot in less time," he said.
The company canvassed managers for ideas like re-writing the advert so it clearly explained the role, and they have brough thet training time down to eight weeks, cutting costs by £1.2m.
"By making it far more brand, mindset, product led rather than teaching them every aspect of the job; people came out able to sell far better than their colleagues in the contact centres," he continued.
The company was also nominated for iTool, an iPad style e-learning app, which allows managers to train sales staff to use BT's new product directory.
"All of the training we do is grounded in improving customer service here at BT, and we are always looking for those innovative ways of doing that," he added.
FE Minister: WorldSkills good for individuals, the country and the world
Story published on FE News, Friday, October 7, 2011
Further Education Minister John Hayes believes that WorldSkills is good for individuals, good for the country and good for the world.
Speaking at the event, which will attract up to 250,000 visitors to London's Excel Centre this week, he said: "Worldskills is a showcase of practical skills, everything from traditional to high-tech skills. I've seen everything from thatching to robotics.
"It showcases competences which have economic value, which have life-changing potential, which build successful individuals and communities, in an economy that works."
Hayes believes that the event will not only transform the apprentices, but also touch all those who came to support them, and change their attitudes to vocational training.
"Its about bringing countries together, united in a shared understanding of the value of practical skills," he said.
Further Education Minister John Hayes believes that WorldSkills is good for individuals, good for the country and good for the world.
Speaking at the event, which will attract up to 250,000 visitors to London's Excel Centre this week, he said: "Worldskills is a showcase of practical skills, everything from traditional to high-tech skills. I've seen everything from thatching to robotics.
"It showcases competences which have economic value, which have life-changing potential, which build successful individuals and communities, in an economy that works."
Hayes believes that the event will not only transform the apprentices, but also touch all those who came to support them, and change their attitudes to vocational training.
"Its about bringing countries together, united in a shared understanding of the value of practical skills," he said.
Friday, 7 October 2011
'I wanted to prove to my dad that I was a good cabinet maker', says first ever UK WorldSkills competitor
Article appeared on the FE News website on October 6, 2011.
When Doug Hill entered the WorldSkills competition back in 1953, all he wanted to do was to prove to his dad that he was a good cabinet maker. Little did he realise that he would become its first ever UK competitor.
He travelled to Madrid with his father and picked up the silver medal.
Inspired by his son's success, his father founded Team UK and built it into the organisation it is today and was later awarded the MBE.
Hill went on to build a successful notice-board company and built the first flight indicator board for Heathrow Airport.
"I am here today because I believe that apprentices bring the skills that this country needs," he told FE News yesterday on the sidelines of the London 2011 Worldskills competition.
"They are the core of our skills base, we can sell the products as they will be made to a high quality."
He added: "It's so different from 1953, I was a team of one, waiting to meet my other UK competitors but there weren't any."
Hill now spends his time encouraging young people to become apprentices and 'earn as they learn'.
Although he is retired he is still putting his engineering skills to good use, helping to rebuild an old steam engine at the Didcott Heritage Centre.
"I would encourage all employers to send their apprentices to these competitions it really brings them on, when they come back to the company they are so highly skilled that they can move that company forward," he said.
When Doug Hill entered the WorldSkills competition back in 1953, all he wanted to do was to prove to his dad that he was a good cabinet maker. Little did he realise that he would become its first ever UK competitor.
He travelled to Madrid with his father and picked up the silver medal.
Inspired by his son's success, his father founded Team UK and built it into the organisation it is today and was later awarded the MBE.
Hill went on to build a successful notice-board company and built the first flight indicator board for Heathrow Airport.
"I am here today because I believe that apprentices bring the skills that this country needs," he told FE News yesterday on the sidelines of the London 2011 Worldskills competition.
"They are the core of our skills base, we can sell the products as they will be made to a high quality."
He added: "It's so different from 1953, I was a team of one, waiting to meet my other UK competitors but there weren't any."
Hill now spends his time encouraging young people to become apprentices and 'earn as they learn'.
Although he is retired he is still putting his engineering skills to good use, helping to rebuild an old steam engine at the Didcott Heritage Centre.
"I would encourage all employers to send their apprentices to these competitions it really brings them on, when they come back to the company they are so highly skilled that they can move that company forward," he said.
The 'best of the best' honoured at National Training Awards
Article published on the FE News website on October 6, 2011
Four businesses and an outstanding training manager were honoured at a prestigious awards ceremony yesterday for their outstanding contribution and commitment to training, learning and development.
They were crowned the 'best of the best' at the National Training Awards 2011 at ExCeL London.
The winners included nuclear company Magnox Limited for training 50 radiographers to fill a national skills gap, and Tata Global Beverages, which manufacture the famous Tetley tea-bags, for saving themselves £2m by training 55 of their 450-strong staff to develop leaner business practices.
The Meningitis Trust was named Small Employer of the Year for introducing a 2-year programme to boost the morale and confidence of staff and trustees.
As a result, annual recruitment costs have dropped from £30,000 - £7,000, the trust now supports 20% more people, without any increase in cost, and it has established a major donor programme.
Brother Industries UK Limited won the prize for medium-sized employer, and Robert Jackson, training manager at Preston-based Recycling Lives, won the Linda Ammon Award for inspiring his colleagues and having a real impact in his workplace.
His health and safety training programme has saved the company £70,000 in insurance premiums and he often goes beyond the call of duty, offering employees help and advice, even late at night, so they can keep their jobs.
Winning can boost an organisation's success. According to the organisers, forty percent of recent winners reported a rise in profits, one in five won additional contracts and a third said their organisations became more efficient.
Dragon's Den star Theo Paphitis presented the awards, and celebrity chef Brian Turner hosted a confectionery showcase featuring a 'cook off' between two former Team UK Worldskills competitors.
The National Training Awards are given to employers who can show that they have tailored their training to the needs of the organisation and that their organisations have benefited as a result.
The awards are sponsored by City and Guilds and the Independent College Partnership.
The winners, who all won regional heats in their categories, joined other winners from across England, Northern Ireland and Wales to fight it out to become Winners of the Year.
John Hayes, Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, said: "I would like to congratulate all the winners in this year's National Training Awards. It is a fantastic achievement and one they should rightly be proud of.
"It is more important than ever for organisations to follow the example of these companies and continue to invest in the development of their staff. We will only be able to achieve sustainable economic growth if we have people with the skills to meet the demands of today's globalised economy."
Four businesses and an outstanding training manager were honoured at a prestigious awards ceremony yesterday for their outstanding contribution and commitment to training, learning and development.
They were crowned the 'best of the best' at the National Training Awards 2011 at ExCeL London.
The winners included nuclear company Magnox Limited for training 50 radiographers to fill a national skills gap, and Tata Global Beverages, which manufacture the famous Tetley tea-bags, for saving themselves £2m by training 55 of their 450-strong staff to develop leaner business practices.
The Meningitis Trust was named Small Employer of the Year for introducing a 2-year programme to boost the morale and confidence of staff and trustees.
As a result, annual recruitment costs have dropped from £30,000 - £7,000, the trust now supports 20% more people, without any increase in cost, and it has established a major donor programme.
Brother Industries UK Limited won the prize for medium-sized employer, and Robert Jackson, training manager at Preston-based Recycling Lives, won the Linda Ammon Award for inspiring his colleagues and having a real impact in his workplace.
His health and safety training programme has saved the company £70,000 in insurance premiums and he often goes beyond the call of duty, offering employees help and advice, even late at night, so they can keep their jobs.
Winning can boost an organisation's success. According to the organisers, forty percent of recent winners reported a rise in profits, one in five won additional contracts and a third said their organisations became more efficient.
Dragon's Den star Theo Paphitis presented the awards, and celebrity chef Brian Turner hosted a confectionery showcase featuring a 'cook off' between two former Team UK Worldskills competitors.
The National Training Awards are given to employers who can show that they have tailored their training to the needs of the organisation and that their organisations have benefited as a result.
The awards are sponsored by City and Guilds and the Independent College Partnership.
The winners, who all won regional heats in their categories, joined other winners from across England, Northern Ireland and Wales to fight it out to become Winners of the Year.
John Hayes, Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, said: "I would like to congratulate all the winners in this year's National Training Awards. It is a fantastic achievement and one they should rightly be proud of.
"It is more important than ever for organisations to follow the example of these companies and continue to invest in the development of their staff. We will only be able to achieve sustainable economic growth if we have people with the skills to meet the demands of today's globalised economy."
Teachers have 'fantastic dual identity', says IfL's Lee Davis
Article published on the FE News website on October 6, 2011.
Wednesday 5 October was National Teachers Day and Lee Davis, deputy CEO of the Institute for Learning (IfL) and President of the Chartered Institute of Plumbers and Heating Engineers, spoke to FE News about why those who can, should teach.
"First and foremost our members are experts in their fields," said Davis.
"Then they decide to give something back to their profession and become teachers and trainers, and the IfL supports them through their training. They have this fantastic dual professional identity; not only are they subject experts but they are also fantastic teachers and trainers.
"For them, WorldSkills is an opportunity for the young people they have trained to show off their skills, but also for them to celebrate their involvement in getting them to that level."
The IfL has a stand at World Skills, and Davis has been amazed at the numbers of young people keen to find out about what they do.
He explained: "They really get into it. They are really interested that the people who teach them are chefs and engineers themselves. We are inspiring young people to come into the vocations, and we are inspiring those people who are already engineers, chefs and plumbers to want to teach."
Wednesday 5 October was National Teachers Day and Lee Davis, deputy CEO of the Institute for Learning (IfL) and President of the Chartered Institute of Plumbers and Heating Engineers, spoke to FE News about why those who can, should teach.
"First and foremost our members are experts in their fields," said Davis.
"Then they decide to give something back to their profession and become teachers and trainers, and the IfL supports them through their training. They have this fantastic dual professional identity; not only are they subject experts but they are also fantastic teachers and trainers.
"For them, WorldSkills is an opportunity for the young people they have trained to show off their skills, but also for them to celebrate their involvement in getting them to that level."
The IfL has a stand at World Skills, and Davis has been amazed at the numbers of young people keen to find out about what they do.
He explained: "They really get into it. They are really interested that the people who teach them are chefs and engineers themselves. We are inspiring young people to come into the vocations, and we are inspiring those people who are already engineers, chefs and plumbers to want to teach."
Sunday, 2 October 2011
'Data needs more context' says select committee
This article was published on the LGN webiste on September 29, 2011.
MPs have called for the national data watchdog to help ensure government departments release information in an “intelligible, objectively interpreted and accessible” way.
A report issued by the public administration select committee last week recommended the Statistics Authority take a more pro-active role in ensuring that government data can be easily understood by the public.
MPs have called for the national data watchdog to help ensure government departments release information in an “intelligible, objectively interpreted and accessible” way.
A report issued by the public administration select committee last week recommended the Statistics Authority take a more pro-active role in ensuring that government data can be easily understood by the public.
The committee said simply “dumping” data into the public realm was not sufficient. “Data dumping does not on its own constitute transparency and good governance”, it said.
In February, LGC reported that some of the information released by the Department for Communities & Local Government about its expenditure had been incorrectly coded.
There have also been concerns that publishing spending data with little context adds nothing to the public’s understanding of spending decisions.
But the civil service may lack the capacity to deliver on the MPs’ recommendations. According to the Cabinet Office, staff numbers were expected to fall by 18,000 in this quarter alone.
The report also urges the civil service to build its expertise in IT, as well as improving interdepartmental working and commissioning services from the voluntary and private sectors.
It recommended the Cabinet Office monitor individual departments’ change programmes to ensure the civil service did not lose people with the necessary skills.
In February, LGC reported that some of the information released by the Department for Communities & Local Government about its expenditure had been incorrectly coded.
There have also been concerns that publishing spending data with little context adds nothing to the public’s understanding of spending decisions.
But the civil service may lack the capacity to deliver on the MPs’ recommendations. According to the Cabinet Office, staff numbers were expected to fall by 18,000 in this quarter alone.
The report also urges the civil service to build its expertise in IT, as well as improving interdepartmental working and commissioning services from the voluntary and private sectors.
It recommended the Cabinet Office monitor individual departments’ change programmes to ensure the civil service did not lose people with the necessary skills.
Regulators say system for predicting A-Level results is working well
| This article was published on the FE News website on October 3, 2011. An independent review of the system for predicting A-Level results has found that it is broadly fit for purpose. The GCSE results of all students entered for a particular subject at A-Level are used to produce prediction matrices, which are used, along with coursework results, not to predict individual student's results, but to guide examiners and set boundaries for grades. In 2009 exam regulators OFQUAL, DFES Wales and Northern Ireland CCER commissioned research company NFER to find out whether the matrices were being used consistently across awarding bodies and to explore whether they could be improved. The study found the matrices were being applied consistently, but recommended tolerance levels, which set the acceptable variation between predicted and actual results, should be adjusted to reflect the numbers of candidates sitting a particular subject. Examining bodies have to report and justify any wide disparities between predicted and actual grades. The recommended changes were made in time for this year's A-Levels. The researchers also believed that students sitting A-Levels for CCER in Northern Ireland were achieving better results because the examining body used a matrix based solely on the results of Northern Irish students, rather than incorporating data from across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland as the WJEC, Edexcel, AQA and OCR did. CCER has agreed to investigate this further. The report also concluded the existence of Welsh as an additional compulsory subject, taken by large numbers of students at GCSE-level in Wales, made no difference to the accuracy of predictions. |
Statue will celebrate tradesmen's contribution to the City
This article was published on the FE News website on October 3, 2011.
A statue of an apprentice plumber will be unveiled by the Duke of Gloucester and the Lord Mayor of London on the newly refurbished concourse at Cannon St Station next Thursday.
“We will be expanding our programme to provide support for those setting out in the craft as well as those whose training is at higher levels.
A statue of an apprentice plumber will be unveiled by the Duke of Gloucester and the Lord Mayor of London on the newly refurbished concourse at Cannon St Station next Thursday.
The Worshipful Company of Plumbers raised £100,000 to commission and erect the seven-foot high bronze statue to celebrate 400 years since it was granted a royal charter by King James 1.
The statue will also highlight the importance of apprenticeships and celebrate the contribution of professional traders have made to the City of London..
At a fundraising dinner held last year at the House of Lords, former president of the Chartered Institute of Plumbers and Heating Engineers Ben Bradshaw said: “A good apprenticeship is an essential part of training and I think it is a great idea to have a statue honouring apprenticeships in such a busy public place.”
The statue was created by sculptor Martin Jennings who also sculpted the statue of Sir John Betjeman at St Pancras Station and has cast bronzes of Phillip Larkin, Ronnie Barker and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
The Cannon Street site was chosen because the Worshipful Company had its livery hall there until 1863 when it was compulsorily purchased to make way for the expansion of the station.
The company was first established in the fourteenth century to regulate plumbing.
These days the company is a charitable trust which provides bursaries to plumbing trainees, supports a small number of plumbers volunteering oversees and makes donations to local schools and voluntary groups.
Master of the Company, Chris Sneath, told Plumbing and Heating Monthly magazine that the future was not in bronze but in living persons.
“We will be expanding our programme to provide support for those setting out in the craft as well as those whose training is at higher levels.
“We believe that it is very important to support those on whose shoulders the future of plumbing depends,” he said.
Air Commodore Paul Nash, Clerk of the Company said the organisation currently supported plumbing trainees doing NVQ 2 and NVQ 3 level courses, but hoped to be able to support those doing more advanced training in future.
“Any trainee facing financial hardship can visit our website at http://www.plumberscompany.org.uk/, go to the section called ‘support for training’ and download the application forms,” he said.
The unveiling ceremony will take place on at Cannon Street Station at 11.00 am on Thursday October 6, 2011.
First quarter council spending fugures released
This article was published on the LGC website on September 29, 2011.
The new system will see out-turn data published for the sector as a whole and also broken down by individual authority.
The first release showed council spending running marginally ahead of budget, with the forecast total service expenditure 1.8% ahead of budget.
In total, councils spent £24.4bn on services in the first quarter of the year. When projected for the full year this gave a forecast full year expenditure of £99.3bn, compared to the £97.5bn that councils have budgeted to spend.
However, the full-year measure for net current expenditure – which includes the amount paid in housing benefit along with receipts from various levies, precepts and the balances on trading accounts – was just 0.4% ahead of that budgeted for at £116.7bn.
There were regional variations, with net current expenditure in London expected to exceed its target by 2.1% while authorities in the east Midlands were set to come in at 3.5% under budget.
Valid data was not submitted by 16 local authorities, 10 of which are councils including Brentwood BC, communities secretary Eric Pickles’ constituency authority.
The Department for Communities & Local Government has published the first release of quarterly council spending figures.
The new system will see out-turn data published for the sector as a whole and also broken down by individual authority.
The first release showed council spending running marginally ahead of budget, with the forecast total service expenditure 1.8% ahead of budget.
In total, councils spent £24.4bn on services in the first quarter of the year. When projected for the full year this gave a forecast full year expenditure of £99.3bn, compared to the £97.5bn that councils have budgeted to spend.
However, the full-year measure for net current expenditure – which includes the amount paid in housing benefit along with receipts from various levies, precepts and the balances on trading accounts – was just 0.4% ahead of that budgeted for at £116.7bn.
There were regional variations, with net current expenditure in London expected to exceed its target by 2.1% while authorities in the east Midlands were set to come in at 3.5% under budget.
Valid data was not submitted by 16 local authorities, 10 of which are councils including Brentwood BC, communities secretary Eric Pickles’ constituency authority.
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