Joint Policy Advisory Group , Manipal City and Guilds

16/03/2017

With three fifths (61%) of older workers[1] concerned that the Government’s policies are too focused on supporting young people into work compared to older workers, employers should focus on developing their whole workforce, the City & Guilds Group urged today.

The study of 1,000 18-30 year-old and over-51 year-old British workers[2] revealed more than a third (35%) of older workers think that their employer puts more effort into employing and developing young people than on retaining or retraining older workers; and more than two fifths (41%) think their organisation is more focused on helping younger workers,[3] raising concerns that organisations are not doing enough to support all generations at work, and prepare for the UK’s ageing workforce.
Concerns were also raised over career progression. Only a third (34%) of older workers regularly discuss career progression with a manager, compared with nearly double the number of younger workers (60%). Despite this, more than eight in ten (81%) of older workers believe they have the skills needed for the jobs of the future.

With Britain experiencing skills gaps, an ageing population and an increasing retirement age, the City & Guilds Group is calling on employers to prioritise supporting all age groups in the workplace. Nearly two thirds (63%) of each cohort surveyed wanted training on how to work with different generations, showing clear appetite for businesses to plan for the office environment of the future.

The research also revealed:

30% of older workers feel they have been overlooked for key tasks due to their age.
Less than one in ten older (9%) workers prioritise career progression, compared to a third (33%) of younger workers.
More than eight in ten (88%) of older workers think training and development helps boost productivity and improves team morale (83%).
Seven in ten older workers (70%) think it is more challenging to enter the workforce now than 40 years ago.

06/02/2017

From the budget speech some steps to promote skill development and create jobs.
Skill Development and Budget 2017
1. The allocations for Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Rural Livelihood Mission for promotion of skill development and livelihood opportunities for people in rural areas to 4,500 in 2017-18. The allocation for Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) and credit support schemes has been increased more than 3 times.
2. For imparting new skills to the people in the rural areas, mason training will be provided to 5 lakh persons by 2022, with an immediate target of training at least 20,000 persons by 2017-18.
3. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKK) have already been promoted in more than 60 districts. We now propose to extend these Kendras to more than 600 districts across the country.
4. 100 India International Skills Centres will be established across the country. These Centres would offer advanced training and also courses in foreign languages. This will help those of our youth who seek job opportunities outside the country.
5. The budget allocation for Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship for 2017-18 is Rs 3016 crores.as against a budget estimate for 2016-17 of Rs. 1804 crores the revised estimate for 2016-17 is Rs 2173 crores. The total budgeted expenditure for Employment Generation, Skill and Livelihood in Budget 2017 is Rs. 17273 crore.
6. In 2017-18, we also propose to launch the Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion programme (SANKALP) at a cost of ` 4,000 crores. SANKALP will provide market relevant training to 3.5 crore youth.
7. The next phase of Skill Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE) will also be launched in 2017-18 at a cost of ` 2,200 crores. STRIVE will focus on improving the quality and market relevance of vocational training provided in ITIs and strengthen the apprenticeship programmes through industry cluster approach.
8. Decided to take steps to create additional 5,000 Post Graduate seats per annum. In addition, steps will be taken to roll out DNB courses in big District Hospitals; strengthen PG teaching in select ESI and Municipal Corporation Hospitals; and encourage reputed Private Hospitals to start DNB courses.
9. Two new All India Institutes of Medical Sciences will be set up in the States of Jharkhand and Gujarat.
10. By the end of 2017-18, high speed broadband connectivity on optical fibre will be available in more than 1,50,000 gram panchayats, with wifi hot spots and access to digital services at low tariffs. A DigiGaon initiative will be launched to provide tele-medicine, education and skills through digital technology.
11. Job creation elements in Budget 2017:
a. The coverage of National Agricultural Market (e-NAM) will be expanded from the current 250 markets to 585 APMCs.
b. A Dairy Processing and Infrastructure Development Fund would be set up in NABARD with a corpus of Rs 2,000 crores to be increased to Rs 8000 crore over 3 years.
c. Rs 19000 crore for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
d. Rs 23,000 crores allocation for Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin
e. Specific steps to increase low cost housing
f. 100% village electrification by May 1 2018.
g. Increased allocations for Rural Roads and Roads Sector.
h. Solar energy additional 20,000 MW Solar parks
i. Special package for leather and footwear sector.
j. 5 special tourism zones would be set up.
k. Legislative reforms will be undertaken to simplify, rationalise and amalgamate the existing labour laws into 4 Codes on (i) wages; (ii) industrial relations; (iii) social security and welfare; and (iv) safety and working conditions. The Model Shops and Establishment Bill 2016 has been circulated to all States for consideration and adoption. This would open up additional avenues for employment of women.
l. A new Metro Rail Policy will be announced with focus on innovative models of implementation and financing, as well as standardisation and indigenisation of hardware and software.
m. A specific programme for development of multi-modal logistics parks, together with multi modal transport facilities, will be drawn up and implemented.
n. Creating an eco-system to make India a global hub for electronics manufacturing. Increased the allocation for incentive schemes like M-SIPS and EDF to ` 745 crores in 2017-18.

29/11/2016

Profound changes to Apprenticeships recently and employers will need to be more aware of how they are changing in order to take full advantage of the opportunities. This workshop will provide up to date information on policy and funding to help shape employer engagement strategies within the organisation:
http://ow.ly/aKw73053ZkC

Employer Engagement and Commercialisation Training This one-day CPD will provide staff working in colleges and training providers practical techniques around working with employers. There have been profound changes to Apprenticeships recently and employers will need to be more aware of how they are…

26/11/2016

Meet Shivani, a City & Guilds TechBac® Level 3 Digital Technology learner from Samsung Digital Academy. http://ow.ly/94Yd3062ahj

Meet Shivani, a City & Guilds TechBac® Level 3 Digital Technology learner from Samsung Digital Academy based in East London. Find out how TechBac® has given ...

24/11/2016

Congratulations to all the Princess Royal Training Awards winners earlier today.

19/11/2016

How Future Proof is your business? Take Youth Assessment Tool to find out: ow.ly/xLrn306kCJM

This free tool for HR professionals and senior business leaders helps you to map out your company’s workforce planning strategy against the 3 areas of our Youth Employment Framework: Inspire, Hire and Grow.

13/11/2016

Don't miss out on the very latest update regarding apprenticeship reforms in England here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWKdLZABbFY

Our funding manager Bryony Kingsland, ( on Twitter) provides an overview following the government update today on their apprenticeship reform...

13/11/2016

This London workshop: ow.ly/ltPt305OLAa will provide up to date information on policy to help shape employer engagement strategies.

Employer Engagement and Commercialisation Training This one-day CPD will provide staff working in colleges and training providers practical techniques around working with employers. There have been profound changes to Apprenticeships recently and employers will need to be more aware of how they are…