Recent Articles
Skills Minister Matthew Hancock has published a framework for the delivery of a new programme of traineeships. The programme aims to address the needs of both young people and employers, and to provide a more direct link between education and the transition into sustainable work and apprenticeships.
The move is part of a range of measures being introduced by the government geared towards redressing the current lack of work-relevant skills amongst school and college leavers, often cited...
The government has announced plans to introduce a new technical baccalaureate to provide a vocational alternative to A-levels.
The ‘TechBacc’ will be aimed at 16-19 year olds who wish to pursue technical careers, with students required to complete three different courses including a maths course at AS level or equivalent standard, a vocational qualification, and an extended project designed to test skills such as...
A paper has been published by the department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) examining how effective training programmes are at raising the employment and skills of young people who have low or no skills and, are neither in work or education. Despite accounting for only a quarter of the youth population, young people with low or no qualifications comprise 39% of all young people unemployed. Drawing on evidence from previous studies and training...
The government has released details of its new skills strategy, aimed at providing pre-job training to young people still in education. This includes £214 million in extra funding for 47 colleges across the country, and measures subjecting underperforming colleges to a tougher regime.
The new strategy - Rigour and Responsiveness in Skills – pledges stronger support for good and outstanding colleges, as well as plans for greater and more...
The Government has published a discussion paper outlining its vision for a new Traineeship programme. The programme is designed to help develop the skills of young people, aged 16-24, who have not yet successfully transitioned into education or work after leaving school.
The new Traineeships programme will involve funding by the Department for Education (funding 16-19 year olds) and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (funding 19-24...
High Flyers Research have published their annual review of graduate vacancies and starting salaries in the UK. The Graduate Market in 2013 report is based on a study of graduate recruitment across the organisations named in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers 2012 listing. The report’s findings indicate that, throughout 2013, those leading employers are expecting to increase their graduate recruitment by 2.7%.
The...
Francis Maude the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Sir Bob Kerslake Head of the Civil Service have announced the introduction of a new Fast Track Apprenticeship Scheme for the Civil Service.
The scheme aims to give 18 to 21 year olds who want to learn on the job - rather than go to university - the opportunity to work at the heart of government. Recruitment for the first 100 places of the scheme will begin in April 2013, with the successful...
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) have published the latest statistics on the number of applications for university places. The figures show that total applications to the end of December 2012 for places in 2013, were 303,861, down by more than 5.6%, compared to the corresponding statistical release last year.
When the figures were examined to determine the geographical origin of the applicant they revealed a more complex...
This new report, commissioned by the Sutton Trust analyses how educational background affects the content and strength of UCAS personal statements. UCAS statements are used by many UK universities as an integral part of their admissions process. The personal statements are supposed to be a non-academic way of demonstrating to the university the applicant’s suitability for the course. To produce this report, Dr Steven Jones, Senior Lecturer at the University...
McKinsey, the global management consulting firm, have has produced a global report on the transition of young people from education to employment.
The report is based on two sets of evidence: firstly, an analysis of 150 education-to-employment initiatives from across 25 countries – the initiatives were selected for their innovation and effectiveness - and secondly, a survey of young people, education providers, and employers in nine...