BP to provide 24-hour mentoring service to all staff
BP has signed an e-learning deal to transform learning across its business. The global deal, with e-learning provider SkillSoft, allows BP to supply up to 80,000 users with its own custom-developed training and third-party supplier modules. Training and 24-hour online mentoring will be delivered through a BP customised and branded version of SkillSoft’s learning management system, SkillPort. More than 4,500 courses will be available to BP employees, contractors, and in some areas customers. Claire Hamlin, head of e-learning at BP said: “This deal will enable us to create one consistent global platform for e-learning, consolidating and delivering any type of learning – both formal and informal – right across the BP group.” www.bp.com
Guide to graduate skills launched to help employers
A guide to what skills graduates acquire through their degrees has been launched by the Council for Industry and Higher Education (CIHE) and recruitment agency Graduate Prospects. The Student Employability Profiles Guide for Employers gives employers an insight into the skills developed during specific degree courses and how these skills fit with competencies required by the recruiter to help organisations to recruit from a wider pool of graduates. Work-related skills delivered by degree study have been identified for 24 degree subjects. For example, graduates in philosophy will typically be able to analyse problems in a multi dimensional way, be able to think creatively, self-critically and independently. Mike Hill, chief executive of Graduate Prospects, said: “By highlighting the competencies delivered by different subject areas, business requirements can be fulfilled more effectively, with a potential boost to the bottom line as a result.” www.cihe-uk.com
Local government improves its people policies
The People Skills Scoreboard Survey 2004, from the Employers’ Organisation for local government, shows that 71.6% of the local government workforce is covered by Investors in People status, in contrast to 2001, when less than half of the workforce was covered. Councillor Rory Love, chairman of the Employers’ Organisation, said the general picture is encouraging, but more needs to be done. “Workforce development plans are a key element of the three-year pay deal and the Pay and Workforce Strategy, yet the survey indicates that 22% of respondents have not started to develop one,” he said. “These plans are critical to measuring the effectiveness of the £350m currently spent on training and development.” The full report is available online. www.lg-employers.gov.uk/skills/people/index.html
Adult learning body transforms provider inspections
The Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI) is changing the way it carries out inspections. It normally inspects each provider once in a four-year cycle and many are now due for their second inspection. For this round, the ALI has developed a more efficient and cost-effective model of inspection. Starting next month, inspection days will be allocated to providers based on their performance in previous inspections. This is known as the ‘Right Touch’ inspection model. A booklet is available which explains the changes, which will also allow the ALI to adopt a model of inspection over time, where inspectors may make a series of shorter inspection visits spaced over several weeks. The booklet is available from the ALI’s publications helpline on 0115 901 3339 or download an electronic copy from its website. www.ali.gov.uk
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