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Other News Last Updated: 23 January 2012 Review of Skills Funding Agency An internal review of the position of the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) has concluded that the SFA should become an Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), operating under the legal powers of the Secretary of State. Further information can be found on the SFA website: http://skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk/news/pressreleases/sfareview.htm Certification of Apprentices - Apprenticeship Certificates England (ACE) - January 2012 The Alliance of Sector Skills Councils has the responsibility for issuing certificates on completion of an apprenticeship framework; from 19th January 2012 they will be using a new online process, Apprenticeship Certificates England (ACE). The new system will allow providers to log qualification achievements throughout the apprenticeship process and therefore streamline the system for requesting the final certificate from the appropriate Sector Skills Council. Further information can be found on the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils website: http://www.sscalliance.org/Home-Public/NewsandEvents/NewsandEventArticles/ApprenticeshipCertificatesEnglandACEiscomingJanuary2012.aspx Additional Funding Allocations for 2011/12 - Apprenticeships The Government, through the Skills Funding Agency, has announced additional investment to support the growth in Apprenticeships – particularly for those aged between 19 and 24 years of age. Further information regarding the additional Funding Allocations for 2011/12 can be found on the Skills Funding Agency website: http://skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk/providers/allthelatest/providerupdate/AdditionalFunding.htm Comparing Qualifications across the UK and Ireland The leaflet 'Qualifications Can Cross Boundaries: A rough guide to comparing qualifications in the UK and Ireland' has been updated to include the new qualification frameworks, to download a copy click here. Revised website for SQA Accredited Qualification Information SQA Accreditation has revised its qualification information and research web pages; which have now been spilt into two key areas: Research and Information and Statistics Research - provides information on SQA’s current internal and external research projects, as well as current or planned consultations (including the Revision of the SVQ criteria consultation) and a central store for archived research. Information and Statistics - contains:
The revised website can be viewed by following this link: http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/42166.2703.html Cogent SSC Women and Work Programme - Building a diverse workplace through skills The Cogent SSC Women and Work programme is an established initiative for the science-using industries to support the skills development of women, particularly into non-traditional technical roles. Employers are encouraged to review the skills development needs of their business and where a skills gap or a career progression opportunity is identified among female staff they may be eligible for a maximum £600 grant (per person) for their development. It is not targeted at any particular qualification, but supports any skills intervention that will add value to the company bottom line and promote the development of women in the workforce. Women and Work Programme Leaflet (PDF format) Cogent Women and Work Grant Frequently asked Questions (MS Word format) For further information contact Julia Bennett at Cogent SSC: Email: julia.bennett@cogent-ssc.com; Tel: 01925 515 232 Alternatively, visit the Cogent SSC website: http://www.cogent-ssc.com/women_and_work/ww.php Cogent Annual Training Providers Information Day 2011 Cogent will be holding their Annual Training Providers Information Day on Thursday 26th May at Haydock Park Racecourse, WA12 0HQ. Topics to be covered on the day will include Funding, Apprenticeships, QCF Developments, Cogent Gold Standard and much more. Further details (PDF format) To attend this event please complete the booking form and return it to ian.lockhart@cogent-ssc.com
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