The Recruitment and Employment Confederation is to run two one-day training courses in Belfast on telephone sales and interviewing techniques. They are aimed at those new to recruitment or who want a refresher course. The workshops are the beginning of a development of further training programmes in Belfast by the company. For information, call 020-7462 3270.
Businesses must not let ‘super-users’ teach IT
The National Computing Centre has warned businesses that they may be jeopardising their future by leaving IT training in the hands of “super-users”. These skilled computers staff are filling a gap but are guiding colleagues through informal training and then leaving the company when they realise the value of their skills. The organisation says that as businesses become increasingly IT-dependent, responsibility for training is falling between IT and HR. It advises managers to work with IT and HR to plan the content of training courses, together with staff development programmes to enhance other skills.
Link drawn between low skills and low training
The training of carers for very young and older people is a national priority, according to the Training Standards Council. In a report for the DfEE, the council says there is a correlation between poor workplace practice and poor training. It also says there are too few qualified supervisors in residential care homes, a lack of staff with management and skills, and insufficient help and guidance for trainees. In social care, 80 per cent of the workforce is unqualified and in domiciliary care, the figure is 93 per cent. The council’s chief inspector, David Sherlock, said many of its recommendations were being addressed by the Government after it drew attention to serious problems last year, but further action was still needed.
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Orchestra highlights parallels with business
The City of London Sinfonia orchestra has launched a music-based management training programme. Drum Street provides an innovative training approach which draws on the parallels between how a world-class orchestra and an efficient business operate.
