The Assessment Services Awards are back and nominations are open!

Through our work in assessing organisations against a variety of quality standards, we recognise the impact that using different frameworks can have on performance and customer experience. The Assessment Services Ltd Annual Awards seek to recognise those organisations who have gained demonstrable benefits from using one or more of our quality standards.

There is no limit to the number of categories that can be entered, although only one entry per category will be accepted. There is no set format for entries, however, each entry must not exceed 1,000 words. When considering an entry please ensure your organisation is accredited/certificated to the Standard Award within the categories.

THE CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES IS 31st MAY 2019.

View the categories and information on how to enter HERE

ERSA – the representative body for the employment support sector – are planning the fourth annual UK Employability Day taking place on Friday 28 June.
Employability Day is an opportunity to demonstrate the importance of employment support at the frontline. Thousands of charities, businesses and public bodies across the country will host events and promote their achievements on social media and to local press.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to highlight your work and ERSA would be delighted if you would join the celebrations. Here are a few examples of how to take part (although any ideas are very welcome):

1. Host a visit from local stakeholders, such as MPs, councillors or employers, to show them what you do.
2. Celebrate your achievements over the last year with a party for jobseekers and staff which you can promote online and share with local press.
3. Help support the day on social media using the hashtag #EmpDay19.

Read more

Tuesday, 12 March 2019 – Hilton Leeds City, Leeds

Thursday, 21 March 2019 – etc.venues Victoria, London

Overview

The current T level proposals are part of a wider approach to the reform of technical education that it is vital all in our sector understand. Providers have recently been invited to express an interest to deliver the programme in 2021 to 2022 academic year, including the transition offer. Supported by DfE and in association with the Gatsby Foundation, AELP is running this half-day workshop that will enable those still unfamiliar with T levels to understand more about what they are and how they will work, and give those with more knowledge the chance to encourage planning ahead for how their introduction may impact on current provision and provide opportunities for new provision going forward.

Content
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In 2018 the Government Equalities Office (GEO) launched 2 rounds of funding under the Returners Fund, jointly worth £1.5million, which aimed to support organisations working with returners.

Register your interest in a market engagement event being held on 21 February 2019 from 1.30 – 4pm in central London. There is no charge to attend this event, however, all attendees must register in advance.

Places are limited to one per organisation.

Register via Eventbrite Here

ERSA recently announced that Employability Day –  the UK’s largest celebration for organisations supporting local people into work – will take place on 28 June 2019. 

Whether you’re a first-timer or regular EmpDay champion, it’s been great to hear so many of you getting excited about the big day. If you want to discuss how to get involved, please get in touch ERSA want to hear from you!

Last year, a record number of Ministers took part. This year, DWP are already keen to know about events planned locally for Ministers to attend. So please let ERSA know if you’re planning anything in Hastings and Rye, Reading West, Truro and Falmouth or North Swindon and we’ll look to connect you!
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The Mayor’s European Social Fund (ESF) 2019 – 23 Programme Information Event is being held on 13 December from 12.30 – 16.30pm. This event will provide an opportunity for interested bidders to hear more about this procurement opportunity.

The GLA is procuring a range of education, training and employment services to support unemployed, economically inactive and low-income Londoners with a focus on young people and adults that are disadvantaged in the labour market including people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, single parents, people whose first language is not English, people without qualifications or with low qualifications and women.

The Mayor’s ESF 2019-23 Programme aims to equip participants with the skills and knowledge they need to gain qualifications, progress in education and access, sustain and progress in work.  Read more

Please see the calling notice below for Papers for the National Institute for Career Education and Counselling (NICEC) – Changing boundaries: career, identity and self: An international conference on research, practice and policy in career development. 

Date: 16^th and 17^th April 2019
Venue: Chancellor’s Conference Centre, Manchester
Abstract Deadline: October 31^st 2018

They are welcoming abstracts of up to 300 words for individual presentations and up to 500 words for symposiums.

Abstracts to be submitted to julia.yates.1@city.ac.uk by 31st October 2018. Read more

Thousands of young people visited the first two days of Derbyshire Skills Festival – the county’s largest careers event – and there’s still chance to go along.

Derbyshire County Council organises the event with Derby City Council and it’s aimed at students aged 13 to 19, particularly those in Year 11 who are considering their options after school.

The first two of this year’s three events were held at the Pride Park Stadium on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 September 2018 with employers, colleges, training providers and voluntary organisations, offering free support and guidance.

Young people got the chance to take part in have-a-go sessions including engineering, media, hair and beauty and much more.

This week Derbyshire Skills Festival moves on to the Proact Stadium in Chesterfield on Wednesday 26 September 2018. Read more

The Money Advice Service has launched their participation pack for Talk Money Week 2018, which is full of ideas for how you or your organisation can get involved this November.

If you do feel inspired to hold an event, you can let them know by using their interactive map, which will show everything being done around the country to celebrate Talk Money Week.

Whether you are planning something big or small, doing something special or just promoting the services you already provide, put a pin in the map and show them how you’ll be talking money.

Download the participation pack here.

Ofqual will be launching our 4-week consultation on their approach to regulating technical qualifications during the week beginning 9 July.

Alongside the consultation, they will be holding 3 consultation events to allow you the opportunity to find out more about our proposals and provide your views:

• 23 July 2018 Park Plaza County Hall, London
• 24 July 2018 The Village, Coventry
• 31 July 2018 Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel, Manchester

The events will run from 10.30 to 15:30.

Please note, depending on the level of interest, we may need to restrict attendance to a maximum of 2 representatives from each organisation at the events.

To attend one of these events register through eventbrite