How to close the gender skills gap

Closing the gender skills gap: a National Skills Forum report on women, skills and productivity
National Skills Forum, c/o Policy Connect, CAN Mezzanine 32-36 Loman Street, London SE1 0EH

Read the report on the National Skills Forum website.
Published: 2009
Pages: 72

Summary
Proposes ways to close the gender skills gap in the UK. Puts forward 27 recommendations aimed at tackling the barriers facing many women who want to train, get back to work and improve their skills. Includes recommendations regarding: overcoming occupational segregation and increasing the number of women in the science, engineering and technology (SET) sector; careers education and guidance for women; changing cultural attitudes; flexible working opportunities; the role of Sector Skills Councils; women's engagement in adult and community learning; apprenticeships; elearning entitlement for new parents. Includes personal and employer case studies, and highlights examples of employer best practice.

(Source: IDOX Information Services Ltd)

New Population Statistics released

The General Register Office for Scotland has published the mid year population estimates for 2008. Scotland's population is estimated to have increased by 24,300 to 5,168,500. This was a slightly smaller increase than in the previous year, with births exceeding deaths by almost 4000. Net migration contributed less to the population growth than it did in the 2006/07 figures.

West Lothian's population has also been estimated to have grown from 167,800 (June 2007 Estimate) to 169,510 (June 2008 Estimate) - growth of around 1%. However, East Lothian, Perth and Kinross and Midlothian were the local authority areas with the highest estimated population growth, at +1.8%, +1.4% and +1.3% respectively.

To look at the figures broken into single years and the summary of the figures please go to:
General Register Office for Scotland
Populations estimates

Figures broken down into data zone areas will be published later this year.

Destinations of school leavers

Destinations of leavers from Scottish schools: 2007/08 (Statistics Publication Notice: education series)
Scottish Government

Read the report on the Government's website.
Published: 2008
Pages: 23

Summary
Presents national and education authority level information on the destinations of young people leaving Scottish schools, together with data linking the destinations to pupil characteristics. Indicates that the proportion of young people entering further or higher education has risen, while the proportion entering employment has decreased. Notes that the proportion who are unemployed and not seeking employment or training has increased slightly from the previous year.

(Source: IDOX Information Services Ltd)

Economic Review launched

The West Lothian Economic Partnership has published its annual economic review for 2009.

To be launched at the West Lothian Economic Conference on 28 April, the review reports on five key targets surrounding jobs, pay levels, educational attainment, school leavers progressing to higher education and economic activity.

West Lothian jobless total in new increase

The latest unemployment and Jobcentre vacancy figures are out today for West Lothian (Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) based figures).

• The number of JSA jobless in West Lothian for March is 4,478. This is an increase of 169 on the February 2009 figure, and is the highest total for West Lothian since September 1996.
• West Lothian's unemployment rate of 4.2% is higher than both the Scottish (3.9%) and Great Britain (4.0%) rates, and is higher than at any time since February 1997. West Lothian's unemployment rate ranks 14th highest out of all Scottish local authority areas.
• There were 801 notified Jobcentre vacancies in March - a net decrease from February 2009 of 284 vacancies.
• There are now approximately 6 jobseekers for every vacancy advertised in West Lothian jobcentres, compared to last month's 4 jobseekers for every vacancy. In comparison, Scotland's ratio is 5.7:1, Great Britain is 6.3:1 with Inverclyde having the highest ratio of 15.1:1 (15 jobseekers for every vacancy) of claimants to vacancies of Scottish local authorities.

JSA based unemployment figures do not provide the full picture. However, the headline JSA figure does help to indicate the latest trend or change at a national or local level and whether the economic down turn is beginning to bite. The Government's favoured method of measuring unemployment - the ILO method does not readily translate into up-to-date local area estimates.

The Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) is payable to people under pensionable age who are available for, and actively seeking, work.

Results from the 2008 Scottish Employers Skill Survey

Futureskills Scotland undertakes a large-scale survey of Scottish employers every two years - the Scottish Employer Skills Survey (SESS).

Read the report on the Scottish Government's website

Employment fair for carers at West Lothian College on 28 April

West Lothian College is hosting the fifth annual care careers fair on 28 April to help people find out about employment in the health, social care or childcare sector.

Representatives from five universities will be on hand to give information about courses, as well as local employers and careers advisors.

Read more

HABIA, the Hair & Beauty Industry Authority launches new apprenticeship guide

The Hair and Beauty Industry Authority (Habia) has launched a new mini website that offers guidance to hair and beauty employers on employing apprentices.

It includes information on the benefits of employing apprenticeships, news and links to further guidance.

To see the website go to:http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=14822301&msgid=331883&act=SDJB&c=126827&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.habia.org%2Fapprenticeships%2F

West Lothian Council announces additional Get Ready for Work activity

Opportunities for young people in West Lothian have been given a boost with the approval of proposals to increase the number of additional pre-employment training places.

The aim is to create additional training and work placement opportunities for 16 to 19-year-olds through commissioning additional full-time Get Ready for Work (GRfW) activity.

For more information follow this link.

Best practice in developing employability skills

The employability challenge: case studies
UK Commission for Employment and Skills, Callflex Business Park, Golden Smithies Land, Wath-upon-Dearne, South Yorks S63 7ER

(Available on the internet at: http://www.ukces.org.uk/pdf/EmployabilityChallengeCaseStudies.pdf)
Published: 2009
Pages: 100

Summary:
Presents twenty case studies of UK organisations active in developing people's employability skills. Provides an overview of each organisation's employability skills programme. Sets out each programme's main components and summarises evidence on impact. Covers issues including employer engagement, programme design and training. Contains case studies from organisations including schools, colleges, universities, charities, and employment, skills and community initiatives.

The employability challenge: full report
UK Commission for Employment and Skills, Callflex Business Park, Golden Smithies Lane, Wath-upon-Dearne, South Yorks S63 7ER

(Available on the internet at: http://www.ukces.org.uk/pdf/8080-UKCES-Employability%20ChallengeFinal.pdf)
Published: 2009
Pages: 69

Summary:
Sets out how learning providers have successfully developed their students' employability skills. Focuses on both good practice in the learning environment and the policy framework which encourages practitioners towards good practice. Emphasises the importance of employability skills to employers and the UK as a whole. Provides advice on how to involve employers in course design and delivery. Outlines the leadership and resource implications for educational institutions of delivering employability skills. Looks at learning programme design and delivery. Discusses ways to make skills development experiential and informed, with opportunities to reflect. Outlines challenges that learning providers and policy makers must overcome to improve the development of employability skills in the UK workforce.

(Source: IDOX Information Services Ltd)

Apprenticeships: Skills for sustainability conference

Tuesday 12 May 2009, The Sheraton Grand Hotel, Edinburgh

This second annual apprenticeships and vocational training conference will bring together key stakeholders to look at the challenges facing the Scottish economy and what part apprenticeships and vocational training will play in ensuring sustainable economic growth.

Looking cross-sectorally, this event will bring together speakers to discuss how best to expand apprenticeships in non-traditional sectors, such as IT, management and creative sectors, to meet the current and future needs of the economy. It will also look at stigmas towards apprenticeships and the barriers, real or perceived, faced by employers in taking on and supporting apprenticeship places.

Contact: Holyrood Events, phone: 0131 272 2133 [ website ]

Employees v. Contractors: What's the tax and legal difference and why you should care

Business Gateway West Lothian have organised this short breakfast seminar for local employers on Thursday 21 May 2009.

In association with Springfords, accountants and business advisers and MBM Commercial LLP.

In the current economic climate, employers may be attracted to the idea of working with independent contractors instead of hiring employees as this can allow the flexibility employers need to respond to changing circumstances quickly and cost effectively.

Consequently they have frequently tried to classify workers as independent contractors when in the eyes of both the law and HM Revenue and Customs they will be treated as employees.

Deciding which category of worker to use should be treated cautiously. This breakfast seminar aims to provide employers with the facts to ensure they can make informed decisions to avoid the pitfalls.

The speakers are:

Carol Wright - partner in Springfords - accountants and business advisers - offering solutions to owner managed businesses at all stages of their growth cycle.

John Lee – Head of Employment Law at MBM Commercial LLP – offering employment related services to corporate clients and senior executives.

The seminar takes place at the Enterprise Centre in Livingston. To secure your place phone Laura Maltman on 01506 777925 or email bgateway@westlothian.gov.uk

Skill Scotland Conference: Working in partnership to support disabled learners

Skills conference for disabled learners to be held in Glasgow at Glasgow Caledonian University on Monday 11th May 2009.

Aims:

• encourage effective partnership working between the various agencies involved in supporting disabled learners, in both further and higher education
• provide guidance on the roles and responsibilities of these agencies
• stimulate discussion around inclusiveness and cross-agency working
• showcase good practice in partnership working.

This will also be an excellent opportunity for networking with colleagues from a range of sectors working in partnership with colleges and universities.

For more information go to the Skill website.

Or, to receive a booking form please contact Skill Scotland: admin@skillscotland.org.uk or telephone 0131 475 2348.

Launch of Employability Blog

This blog is intended to provide useful information to those working in the Employability sector across West Lothian.

There will be a selection of news, programme information and case studies published on the site.

There are many organisations working in the field of employability in the local area, all are welcome to contribute to the blog and anyone wishing to post should contact andrew.cotton@westlothian.gov.uk to find out how they can get started.

Follow this link for a full list of West Lothian employability organistions.