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- Aptem News
- Case Studies
- Employability
- Skills
The role of transferable skills in economic recovery
The UK faces not just a huge skills deficit, but rising unemployment that’s particularly concentrated in sectors hit hardest by the pandemic, including hospitality, travel and retail. For large numbers of newly unemployed people the path back to work will involve a career change. Whether that means transitioning within a sector to a different role – shaped by new health and safety protocols and increasing automation – or a sidestep into a completely new industry where growth is predicted to continue, individuals will need to identify the skills they have and those they need to get hired.
Rishi Sunak’s Budget received mixed reviews, but there’s good news on skills and jobs
The 2021 Budget was always going to be difficult. UK GDP shrank by 9.9% in 2020 and, according to the latest ONS data, 18% of the UK workforce are still furloughed. Meanwhile, 45% of businesses currently trading and 66% of temporarily paused/closed companies have cash reserves of less than six months.
Yet there was plenty in the Budget for skills and jobs, with the extension of schemes to retain business stability and employment, and a gradual rolling out of skills training for the most precarious.
Green skills essential for the UK’s economic recovery
The impact of global warming and other environmental disasters have created an impetus for change. For the ‘green industrial revolution’ to be delivered, we need urgent investment in green skills.
Mitigating the scarring effects of youth unemployment caused by Covid-19
2020 has been a challenging year. COVID-19 has dramatically accelerated unemployment and had a disproportionate effect on young people, with youth employment falling to its lowest rate since 2014. It has also stalled progress being made in closing the disability employment gap.
Aptem Employ: Three predictions for employability in 2021
2020 was a year filled with unprecedented disruption. Globally, remote working became increasingly normal, enacting a digital transformation that looks set to create long-term changes to the world of work that are likely to remain throughout 2021 and beyond.
As we move into the new year, with the hope of recovery on the horizon, it is time to ask: what is the future of employability? Here are three predictions for how the employability will recover and evolve.
Putting skills centre stage in a fast-changing economy
With long-term economic changes, the pandemic and Brexit, the employment landscape in the UK is changing. Dr Deborah Talbot talks to Dr Fiona Aldridge, Director of Policy and Research at the Learning and Work Institute, about why skills should be at the core of every UK policy.
University Ofsted inspections more opportunity than risk
On 1 April 2021, after nearly four years of lobbying, Ofsted will formally take over the reins of university degree apprenticeship inspections across all levels of study through to level 7. We explore the view that university Ofsted inspections are more opportunity than risk.
New ONS figures reveal impact of coronavirus on economy and jobs
The UK has continued to be hit hard by the pandemic. Now enduring a third lockdown, many sectors are struggling, and economic performance and labour force data show steady declines. However, many companies are successfully riding the pandemic by adopting digital and remote working capabilities.
Diversity and inclusion: women, employment and the pandemic
Before Covid-19 hit, things were starting to look up for women at work. Equality was becoming more of a concrete possibility and less of a hazy dream. But this achievement has quickly been undermined by the disproportionate effects of the pandemic on working women.
Skills at top of agenda in FE White Paper
The Department for Education has published its long-awaited FE White Paper, but is it enough? We look at what’s new and what’s outstanding.
Solving the skills gap for economic recovery
2021 needs to be a year of economic recovery. To support that, it’s essential to have a clear idea of the shortcomings in the existing talent pool to fill vacant jobs, and the roles which will see high demand in the coming years. So informed, we will be better equipped to determine the best way to support jobseekers to reskill, upskill and move into secure jobs, and to once again nourish growth and innovation in our economy.
The shape of employability in 2021
2020 has been a challenging year. COVID-19 has dramatically accelerated unemployment and had a disproportionate effect on young people, with youth employment falling to its lowest rate since 2014. It has also stalled progress being made in closing the disability employment gap.
What should an Independent Training Provider look for in an end-to-end apprenticeship technology solution?
Apprenticeships are increasingly recognised as a key means of skills development and are only set to increase in importance. For Independent Training Providers (ITPs) this involves finding ways to streamline the process of apprenticeship delivery and recognising that this is a necessary step to align with current and future education practices.
Report the truth or a well-meaning fiction?
Apprenticeship providers are rightly interested in tracking learner progress. But what kind of data and tools do management need to get the facts rather than a well-meaning fiction?
How technology can deliver diversity and inclusion in employability
Diversity and inclusion are pressing issues in employability. Technology can help deliver on this agenda by permitting real flexibility and personalisation. Read on to find our how.
Aptem updates for November 2020
November sees us continue to focus on improving the platform to support virtual management and delivery whilst increasing flexibility so you can deliver your operating model in the best possible way. To that end, we are pleased to include two significant upgrades in Aptem’s November update – the introduction of Multi-Factor Authentication and the release of the Employer Console.
Aptem’s Higher Education Forum November 2020 – sharing insights and discussing sector issues
This month we hosted our Higher Education (HE) User Forum, bringing together the Aptem Team and university clients to share insight and knowledge, discuss pressing issues and gather feedback on Aptem.
Lightening the load: how future technologies could support work coach effectiveness
The emergent technologies of big data and artificial intelligence (AI) have produced anxieties about change and potential job losses. But can we see these advanced technologies as assisting and enhancing our jobs? In this article, we look at how new technologies could enhance the effectiveness of job coaches.
Newsletters
The Pulse, Spring 2021
This edition of The Pulse also contains our usual sections – news, product updates, a positive foreword by Richard Alberg, CEO of Aptem, and some excellent webinars and FIN masterclasses upcoming.
The Pulse, Winter 2021
The Pulse, Autumn 2020
In the Autumn 2020 edition of The Pulse, Richard Alberg, CEO of Aptem, talks about employability today and why the company decided to launch Aptem Employ, a cutting-edge platform to manage all aspects of a job seeker’s journey.
This edition also includes an op-ed by Christine Weddell, Chief Operating Officer at Aptem, asking whether tech is the new paradigm for skills and employability solutions.
Finally, we share an interview with David Kitchen, Managing Director of The Leadership Team, who talks about M&As in the training sector and how his company helps the industry keep in top of quality.
The Pulse, Winter 2020
In the Winter 2020 edition of The Pulse, we are delighted to offer our view of the 2020 apprenticeship landscape, an interview with Vikki Liogier, National Head of EdTech and Digital Skills at the Education and Training Foundation, and the latest exciting Aptem product and company developments.
The Pulse, Autumn 2019
In the Autumn 2019 edition of The Pulse, we are delighted to offer news and product updates, as well as an insightful interview with Chris Jones, Her Majesty’s Inspector – Specialist Adviser for Apprenticeships.
The Pulse, Spring 2019
In the Spring 2019 edition of The Pulse, we are delighted to offer news and product updates, as well as an interesting interview with UVAC’s Mandy Crawford-Lee.
The Pulse, Winter 2019
In this edition of The Pulse, we are delighted to offer news updates, an analysis of the levy shortfall and a great interview with Mark Dawe of the AELP, as well as Aptem product and team developments.
The Pulse, Autumn 2018
We are pleased to share with you the first of our quarterly newsletters, where we will be keeping you informed on Aptem developments and sharing useful resources that will help you make the most of your chosen delivery platform.
Webinars
Developing a healthy compliance culture with David Lockhart-Hawkins
Is your approach to compliance creating an unhealthy working environment? Does the fear of error drive business behaviours? This webinar looks at how to create a healthy balance that is aware of risk but promotes transparency. Designed for leaders and managers, in addition to those who work in a compliance role, this webinar examines how they approach compliance in their organisation.
Plan for Jobs extension announced – what employability and training providers need to know
It has been 16 months since the Plan for Jobs scheme was launched to safeguard the economy. The intention of the scheme has been to support people back into employment and plug the skills gap in much needed industries, while helping people to build successful careers.
As we move into the new phase of the Plan for Jobs, our webinar delivered by Georgina Burton, Head of Implementation at Aptem, covered the progress made so far by the various employment and skills initiatives. What schemes have performed well and what employability and skills providers need to know about the newly announced extension for the Plan for Jobs scheme.
Learner Reviews webinar with Tony Allen
Tony Allen is an expert consultant who offers his knowledge of the skills system and the government's apprenticeship reform programme, acquired through fourteen years in the Skills Funding Agency, to help training providers and employers. In this webinar he talked through Learner Reviews: The role of learner reviews in the apprenticeship journey; The benefits of effective learner reviews; Why learner reviews are important; What happens if you don't get them right; 7 steps to effective learner reviews. Shaun Elliott, Product Director at Aptem, walked through Aptem's review functionality.
Apprenticeship engagement and compliance with David Lockhart-Hawkins
Compliance Masterclass with Tony Allen: ESFA Audit requirements and how Aptem can help ensure compliance
What role will behavioural sciences play in the post-pandemic employment recovery?
Will the employability sector recover?
What is to be done about the UK’s skills deficit?
The future of learning delivery is blended
Creating a digital literacy culture and using technology to enhance learning
Exploring alternative talent pools for recruiting employability professionals
Changes, challenges and the role of digital in future employability programmes
Big data in education and training
State of the Art Tech for Employment programmes
A demonstration of Aptem’s Intelligence Dashboard for Universities
Pandemic Challenges and Opportunities for Apprenticeships
Watch our webinar with Aptem’s Chief Product Officer Mike Sims, Product Director Shaun Elliott and award-winning training provider Corndel’s Chief Operating Officer Mushall Khan, discussing today’s challenges and opportunities within the Apprenticeship marketplace.
State of the Art Tech for Employment programmes
A demonstration of Aptem’s Intelligence Dashboard for Universities
The Employability Forecast
Welcome to the Employability Forecast, the Aptem Employ podcast.
In this series, we explore employability from every perspective, from jobseekers, to providers, from employers, to government. This is your insider resource into the employability sector.
