News in Brief

Employers collaborate to address IT skills

e-skills UK and BT have today submitted an Expression of Interest  on behalf of the IT & Telecoms sector for the development of a National Skills Academy.

The Academy proposes to support the ambition of global leadership in high level technology skills by:

• Helping employers to accelerate the productivity of new recruits into the IT workforce;
• Improving access by employers of all sizes to high quality courses and development programmes for higher level skills, including new provision in areas of employer priority and supported by government funding where applicable;
• Enabling the IT professional workforce to gain external recognition of skills, supporting career progression and mobility. 

Karen Price, Chief Executive, e-skills UK says: "The Academy offers a unique opportunity for employers to take collective responsibility for the skills and accreditation of the IT workforce. e-skills UK is delighted to be working with BT and other employers across the sector to take this opportunity forward."

The announcement was made at an apprenticeships conference hosted by e-skills UK, BT and the Apprenticeship Ambassadors Network in London.  Sir Michael Rake, Chair BT and Chair of the Commission for Employment and Skills, spoke on the value of apprenticeships for employers in the sector.

"BT has been proactive in establishing a world class apprenticeship programme.  This initiative has made a great impact making major cost savings on external training, as well as developing astute IT professionals that are equipped with the skills relevant to modern business," said Sir Mike Rake.

The event emphasised the business value of apprenticeship programmes and looked to encourage more IT and Telecoms employers to offer them.  Apprenticeships provide a cost effective approach to accelerating the contribution of new recruits to the business.  

The Rt. Hon David Lammy MP addressed the audience on the government's plans to implement its strategy World Class Apprenticeships: Unlocking Talent, Building Skills for All.

"There is great potential for the IT and Telecoms sector to attract more apprentices.   We recently set the challenging, but achievable, target of 1 in 5 young people starting an apprenticeship, with a similarly ambitious increase in the number of adult apprenticeships.  The work being done by e-skills UK and BT will be instrumental in improving productivity and extending opportunity."

Employers interested in learning more about apprenticeship programmes and how e-skills UK can provide support can visit www.e-skills.com/apprenticeships.

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Editor's note:

What is the National Skills Academy?

The National Skills Academy network is designed to provide both employers and learners with the skills they need in the real world of work, now and in the future.

This means redesigning, reshaping and adding to current training programmes and qualifications in a way which best suits industries. Employers will analyse the training and skills needs of their industry, and prioritise the skills that are most important.
 

Expressions of Interest

The Learning and Skills Council released the fourth round prospectus in June this year, inviting employers to work with government to develop a National Skills Academy – tackling sector specific skills challenges and changing the face of skills training in your industry.

The prospectus outlines the criteria and the benefits of becoming part of the network and helps those who want to become involved, understand the process of becoming an approved National Skills Academy. 

About e-skills UK

e-skills UK is the employer-led Sector Skills Council for IT and Telecoms, campaigning to make the UK world class in technology skills.  e-skills UK unites employers, educators and government to:

• Inform – ensuring that employers, education and government have access to world class market intelligence to support decision-making and investment;
• Inspire – improving the image and attractiveness of technology careers;
• Educate – helping to prepare young people for successful careers and lives in an increasingly technology-enabled world; and
• Professionalise – supporting employers in the development of a world class workforce.

e-skills UK is part of the Skills for Business network of 25 employer-led Sector Skills Councils.

Posted on 14 Jul 2008