News / News In Brief

Archived News for October 2001

SSCs to replace NTOs
The government has recently announced its intention to establish 'Sector Skills Councils' (SSCs) to replace the 73 National Training Organisations (NTOs) that currently exist in the UK (from April 2002). A shadow Sector Skills Development Agency will be set up this month to assist NTOs in the transition to SSCs and a number of trailblazer Councils will be announced before the end of this year to set the standard for the rest ( Click here for DfES press release).

In a call to action at its recent conference, the NTO National Council stated that the new SSCs will be well placed to build on the expertise and experience within the NTO network, and to make a real difference to UK skills levels and the competitiveness of the UK economy ( Click here for NTONC press releases).

The e-skills NTO, which was created by business for business to take the lead in improving skills for the IT and Telecoms sectors, has a proud record of successful project delivery ( Click here for Annual Review).

The e-skills NTO will continue to implement the three year 'Strategic Plan for e-skills in the UK', which was developed with employers and stakeholders at the beginning of the year. The Plan reflects the government's belief that employers are best-placed to identify where there are gaps in the skills of their workforce and equally well-placed to create strategies to close these gaps ( Click here for Strategic Plan). The NTO is also currently developing an addendum to the Plan to cover the Telecommunications industry and the needs of Call Centres, which recently became part of its overall remit.

The e-skills NTO looks forward to further guidance from government and to playing a key role in the setting up of the new network.

ULCS New Media & IT Recruitment Fair 2001
5-6 December 2001 (organised by the University of London Careers services)
The Fair is the ideal environment to target the best students and graduates for your IT vacancies. Held alongside The Graduate Fair, London - a general recruitment fair organised on behalf of AGCAS (the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services) - it is expected that this event will attract high calibre, well prepared visitors, keen to find jobs in design, development and all other sectors of the New Media and IT industry. Jobseekers from all disciplines, particularly those with transferable skills, are encouraged to attend.
The event is sponsored by the Guardian, whose advertising campaign ensure high visitor and exhibitor numbers. Listings in Rise, the graduate supplement, will provide exhibitors with further promotional opportunities. ULCS New Media & IT Recruitment Fair 2001 is also supported by a London Underground advertising campaign, by various web campaigns, through the PROSPECTS series and by JOB, the immediate vacancies magazine for London students and graduates.
The e-skills NTO are attending ULCS New Media & IT Recruitment Fair 2001 in order to disseminate the results of their survey on the placement of non-IT graduates in IT vacancies. They will be giving support to students who are keen to enter the New Media and IT industries but do not have a specific degree in the area.
If you are interested in booking a stand, please contact Tamsin Anastasi-Pace on . Further information can be found at www.careers.lon.ac.uk/nmit/ .

Telecoms and Call Centres - Consultation
The e-skills NTO is working towards producing clear plans of actions to address the specific skills needs and issues of the Telecoms industry and Call Centres sector.

The NTO is currently consulting with Telecoms and Call Centres stakeholders to determine strategic priorities to support the industry, and to put in place the plans and resources to make a real difference.

The NTO is keen to hear from all those wishing to give their views on the industry's priorities for actions on skills for the Telecoms industry or for Call Centres.

Click on the following links to give your feedback online, ie www.e-skillsnto.org.uk/telecoms/consultation or www.e-skillsnto.org.uk/callcentres/consultation - by 31st october 2001.