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Digital literacy skills go global
A London-based symposium will debate the application of the UK’s digital literacy skills in the global market.
Representatives of industry, government, the EU, NGOs and academia will discuss an international programme to ensure that appropriate skills strategies are used to achieve UK competitiveness in the world market.
The conference aims to smooth the progress of talks between government and NGO education policy makers and corporate technologists.
Run by the Council of European Professional Informatics Societies (CEPIS) and the European Computer Driving Licence Foundation (ECDL), the convention will take place at Windsor Castle.
For more on this story see: ***** Seven hundred flights were grounded last summer when Gate Gourmet staff undertook unofficial strikes against the airline. BA plans to train its own staff to use the caterer’s loading trucks to ensure food and supplies will be available to passengers should Gate Gourmet stage further walk outs. Fore more on this story see: TrainingZONE ***** The programme aims to equip all civil servants with key skills, including financial skills, people management, communications, marketing and strategic thinking. The contract with Knowledgepool supplies the Home Office with trainers to provide specialist instruction and promote IT and core competencies as defined by the PSG. Fore more on this story see: TrainingZONE ***** More than two thirds (67%) of individuals achieving the body’s CLAiT IT qualification are female, and almost half of these (47%) are between the ages of 31 and 50. Assistant Director of Vocational Assessment, Mary Bennett said that this disproved popular beliefs about computer literacy between the genders: “It is a common misconception that women are less interested in computers than men.” For more on this story see: TrainingZONE ***** The project aims to target football fans who are weak in these areas, and encourage them to improve through sport themed activities. The skills training is geared specifically towards football fans, teaching literacy by analysing commentary or creating match reports, and learning maths by comprehending transfer fees. Manchester United, Liverpool, Newcastle United, Everton, Charlton Athletic, Wigan Athletic, and football league teams, Leicester City, Brighton and Hove Albion, Norwich City and Bristol City are all supporting the initiative. ***** The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (Pacts) is aiming to reduce road deaths by urging the employer to take responsibility over the training and competence of staff using vehicles during their working day. Pacts is also lobbying for automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and greater use of road surveillance cameras. Stop paying Working Tax Credit, warns HMRC Employers should have received a final ‘stop notice’ for each of their employees who receives Working Tax Credit. “If they haven’t, they should contact HMRC immediately to arrange a stop date,” says the Revenue. “If employers’ payroll arrangements mean they would not normally pay Working Tax Credit for March until April, they can contact HMRC now to arrange an earlier stop date.”
TrainingZONE
BA staff up-skill to avoid strikes
British Airways (BA) is to equip staff with the necessary skills to manage services in the event of further strike action with its in-flight caterer.
Home Office boosts e-learning skills
The Home Office is providing 22,500 employees with e-learning skills as part of the Professional Skills for Government (PSG) initiative.
Women outperform men in IT skills race
Women outperform men in demonstrating IT skills and are twice as likely to gain a relevant qualification, according to awarding organisation OCR.
Football scores with adult learning
Adult literacy, language and numeracy skills are being addressed by a new initiative between ten premier league and football league clubs and the government.
Drivers must get skills upto speed
Employers must address the driving skills of employers using company cars, the government has announced.
HMRC is reminding employers that they must stop paying Working Tax Credit via their payroll by the end of this month. All claimants will be paid directly by the Revenue from April.
