This week’s training news
Skills gap must be met
The Learning and Skills Council must encourage companies to increase
workforce skills, according to the CBI. Director general Digby Jones said the
councils must encourage smaller firms, particularly those with less than 50
staff, to recognise the value of increasing the skills of employees. "SMEs
employ more than half the workforce and if we are going to address the skills
deficit we need to get them on board," he said. www.cbi.org.uk
BBC launches courses
BBC training and development has launched 30 new media courses which will be
open to anyone. They cover a range of topics including web writing, streaming
media and the use of graphics. The four main topics covered are Internet
research; site management and technology; editorial and graphics, video and
audio. www.bbctraining.co.uk
Asda gets award
Asda has been presented with the John Sainsbury Award for staff training and
development at the IGD Food Industry Awards. The retailer was commended for its
Stores of Learning scheme which combines customer service with learning in a
live supermarket environment. The award is presented annually to the company in
the sector that has shown the most commitment to staff training. www.igd.com
Vauxhall staff training
Vauxhall has launched a programme of 30,000 hours of staff training to
ensure its workers will be ready for the launch of the new Vectra. Staff at the
Ellesmere Port plant are being trained as part of a £200m investment to
transform the Cheshire plant into a "flex" facility, capable of
producing several Vauxhall models. Each workstation across the production line
is getting detailed, hands-on training in the run-up to the launch of full
production next April. www.vauxhall.co.uk
Emap’s new initiative
Managers at Emap will benefit from a new four-tier management programme
being launched this month. The ongoing programme will provide development for
all levels of management at the company from senior executives to new line
managers. The new initiative will be linked to Emap’s business objectives.
Modules will include leadership, managing change, influencing, negotiating,
strategic awareness, people management and coaching. www.emap.com
