This week’s news in brief
Managers’ skills gap
The UK’s four million managers receive less training than their global
counterparts and have spent less time in education, according to a Work
Foundation report. It shows that the US, Japan, Germany and France all have
more management training and that British managers are the least qualified. www.workfoundation.co.uk
TUC appoints women
For the first time in its 135-year history, two of the top three jobs at the
TUC are to be taken up by women. Frances O’Grady and Kay Carberry have been
appointed as deputy general secretary and assistant general secretary
respectively. www.tuc.org.uk
Teachers deal signed
The Secretary of State for Education Charles Clarke has signed a national
agreement with the teachers’ unions and employers as part of a drive to raise
standards and tackle teacher workload. The move will lead to more support staff
in extended roles to give additional help to teachers. www.dfes.gov.uk
Social shake-up
The Government is launching a major shake-up of social work training with
the introduction of the Practice Learning Taskforce. A new degree programme
will place greater emphasis on frontline experience as part of the
qualification and involve more consultation with service users. www.doh.gov.uk
Fire talks on again
Talks between the Fire Brigades’ Union and local government employers have
resumed in a bid to avert more industrial action. Both sides returned to
arbitration body Acas following last week’s one day stoppage but two further 48
hour strikes are planned for this week. www.fbu.org.uk
