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theHRDIRECTOR Issue 69
This issue we speak to
James Dalgleish
Head of HR - London Fire Brigade

FEATURES

Special Report
Interim Management
Retention
Reward & Recognition
Leadership

FEATURING

Hays Human Resources
Northgate Arinso
Mind
QVC
New Balance

Training & Development

Survey shows slapdash staff risk corporate data
A survey of more than 100 UK office workers has revealed that employees are hugely reliant on access to network data to do their jobs, yet show an alarming apathy about the value of that data. The survey was carried out by secure online backup specialist, Databarracks, and the findings are a stark warning to UK businesses:
Skill shortage in Human Resources fuel interim market and salary increases
The demand for HR professionals remained strong in 2007, according to the annual salary survey of HR professionals from leading recruiter Reed Human Resources, with salaries rising steadily. There was a major skills shortage in the industry last year and Reed Human Resources noted a 65% growth in the number of vacancies for permanent HR professionals compared with 2006.
2012 Olympics set to boost UK business and skill set of UK workforce, according to new research
With the London Olympics only four years away, job creation opportunities are booming as contracts for the Olympics are filled. Of the work placed so far by the Olympics Delivery Authority (ODA), 98% has gone to UK companies and 50% to companies outside London.
UK Corporates lead the way in training practices
Corporate UK is leading the way in training practices, according to a comprehensive pan-European survey, published by Cegos Group. The survey found that UK organisations are training more staff and have embraced innovative practices, including e-learning, blended learning and mobile learning, to a greater extent than their European counterparts.
National Skills Academy for Retail approved
Skills Minister David Lammy has announced the expansion of the National Skills Academy network with the approval of the tenth skills academy. The National Skills Academy for Retail is joining a national network of employer-led centres of excellence. The plan includes creating a network of 70 highly-professional retail Skills Shops in high streets and shopping centres, run individually by partnerships of local stakeholders including developers, training providers, other agencies including job centres and importantly, retailers themselves.
Creation of National Apprenticeship Scheme welcomed
The House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee have published their follow-up report to "Apprenticeship: A key route to skill", which was published in July 2007. The Committee broadly welcome the Government's renewed commitment to improving apprenticeship provision since their report was published but call for the new National Apprenticeship Service to be directly responsible to a single government department and Government Minister.
Number of vocational qualifications hits new high
Over 3,250,000 vocational qualifications were awarded in the UK last year according to figures released to mark the first Vocational Qualifications Day (VQ Day). The figures, contained in an independent Review of vocational qualifications by education foundation Edge, show a rise of 8.3% on the previous year and a 117% rise on the numbers awarded five ears ago.
Networking sites benefit from growth in 'Personal brand-building'
The importance of candidates’ online personal brands has led to a surge in the use of networking sites for career development according to research from professional recruitment consultancy, Harvey Nash. The survey, conducted amongst 500 senior executives across Europe, sees professional networking sites set to rival executive job boards as a means of progressing careers and finding new job opportunities.
Olympics could be the springboard tobusiness success
Olympic athletes and senior businesspeople share the same drive, determination and skills make them successful, according a leading executive search consultant.
Webinar: The Cutting Edge in Learning Development
HROA Webinar: Learning Development including Serious Gaming, Mobile Learning, Informal Learning & Leadership and Coaching. Date: 29th April
UK Managers feell ill-equipped to manage staff
More than three-quarters of managers are being asked to undertake tasks without receiving appropriate training beforehand, according to an independent, global survey, commissioned by global e-learning provider SkillSoft. In the UK and the rest of Europe, “managing people” is the task managers feel the least prepared to tackle. This fact hasn’t gone unnoticed – overall those holding managerial roles were ranked as “most in need of training” by their staff.
Government commits funding to developing third sector skills
Government Ministers have today (21 October) announced that £2.5million will be made available over the next three years to set up a brand new skills body for the third sector, opening up thousands of new learning and development opportunities for people working and volunteering in the third sector across the UK. Speaking at the ‘Mind the Gap’ conference Kevin Brennan MP (Minister for the Third Sector) and Lord Young of Norwood Green (Skills Minister) committed funding for a new organisation to be responsible for supporting skills development in the third sector.
Darling urged to listen
In a paper in advance of next week's budget, it argues that ‘affordable fiscal activism' is necessary to reduce the growing threat of mass unemployment. David Coats, associate director, policy at The Work Foundation, said: ‘Now, when unemployment is rising fast and many businesses are struggling, is absolutely not the time for the government to be thinking about cutting back.
Is voluntary work a cost effective way to train?
The City of London Corporation has released a report which shows that corporate volunteering offers significant financial benefits for business.
FA and Wembley run for children
Staff from Wembley Stadium and the FA are taking part in the Microsoft UK Challenge 2009 to raise money for the NSPCC.
Construction skills secures £133 Million from Government
A new, £133m, three-year agreement between Government and employers, to help beat major skills shortages in the UK construction industry, has been announced by Skills Secretary John Denham. The new deal, agreed by DIUS, the LSC and ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council for the construction industry, will help to deliver more skilled and qualified workers in a sector requiring over half a million new entrants in the next five years.
Survey suggests managers must do better
For the third year in a row, Krauthammer has asked employees across Europe about the behaviour and experience they seek from their managers. Each year there are significant gaps between desires and reality. And this year is no exception.
The ideal manager revealed
Engaging managers are made, not born, as they learn from their own and others' mistakes and modify their behaviours accordingly, claims a new report.
2008 World of Learning Award winners announced
The BBC College of Journalism, RBS Insurance, Reed Learning and Accenture are among the winners of the prestigious World of Learning Awards 2008. The event was attended by more than 450 of the UK’s leading learning and development professionals and showcased the very best organisations and individuals whose outstanding achievements have notably improved workplace productivity and performance.
Poor take up of apprenticeships
Latest government figures show a disastrous drop in the number of young people starting apprenticeships during the recession
PM pledges jobs and training for young
In response to questions from Student Room members, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: “Government would guarantee a job or training for young people out of work for six months or more, a National Internship Service will be created to tackle the rise in unpaid work placements and careers advice for young people, including for younger children, will be overhauled.