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Tackling the Employability crisis
Despite widespread economic turbulence, unemployment may not reach the crisis levels predicted last year. But issues such as underemployment, a …
MWS Technology, Aptem: British Data Awards Winner 2021
MWS Technology has been named winner at the British Data Awards 2021 in the ‘SME of the Year’ category. Our …
Aptem product feature: Sub-programmes
Learners are unique and their requirements for learning journeys vary, which is why flexible, personalised approaches to learner programme delivery …
Lifetime signs up to Aptem to deliver integrated learning experience
Lifetime, the largest training provider in the UK, has signed up to EdTech SaaS platform Aptem to deliver apprenticeships and Kickstart programmes. The contract was signed in March 2021 and Lifetime and Aptem are working closely to onboard Lifetime’s apprenticeship programmes, alongside the successful implementation and launch of Kickstart in April 2021.
Mental health and wellbeing, resilience and the pandemic
Since the pandemic started, global mental health has declined significantly. Alongside the stresses caused by chronic uncertainty, isolation and grief, rising unemployment has contributed to a drop in mental wellbeing in populations around the world.
Here, we examine how mental health has changed as a result of the coronavirus, how this converges with experiences of unemployment, and what jobseekers and employers can do to safeguard themselves and others.
Covid-19, BAME young people, and the consequences for employability
Heading into the coronavirus pandemic, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups already faced discrimination and inequality, including in access to work. Evidence shows that the virus and its many consequences have also disproportionately affected BAME people. For young people in general, Covid-19 has been particularly challenging, disrupting education, causing and exacerbating mental health issues, and limiting their employment prospects. At the intersection of these two groups, BAME young people are in a particularly challenging position.
Employability the new normal
The past year has seen change sweep across every aspect of our lives. The combination of a global pandemic with the rise of automation and an increasingly desperate environmental crisis has impacted everything from how we live and learn to how we work. The shift to remote working is here to stay, with implications for jobseekers, employees and employers alike. There is an opportunity to increase inclusivity, diversity, happiness and productivity. Yet there are also risks tied up with this way of working, from legal implications to its effect on company culture. By exploring these nascent benefits and risks we can move forwards with an awareness that will support the creation of a better future of work for us all.
Aptem’s Higher Education Forum February 2021 – sharing insights and discussing sector issues
In February, we hosted our Higher Education (HE) User Forum, where the Aptem Team and our university clients gathered to share insight and knowledge, discuss important issues, review upcoming client-led product updates, and collect feedback on Aptem.
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.
Webinars
Understanding the updated Apprenticeship Accountability Framework with David Lockhart-Hawkins
In May 2022, the Department for Education released the updated Apprenticeship Accountability Framework Technical Specification for 2021 to 2022. Several updated quality indicators form the revised framework, including a new measure for minimum apprenticeship provider performance level, with overall all-age QAR of less than 60% meaning provision ‘needs improvement’, and a rate of less than 50% meaning provision is ‘at risk’.
Providers have many questions about the updated framework, and this session looked to address these queries.
How to manage change effectively in your workplace with Henry Cohen
Research from McKinsey and Company shows 70% of all transformations fail and this figure is concerningly rising. Whilst change is a constant, successfully implementing change, whether this is a technology change or other organisational change, requires a good change management strategy.
Henry Cohen, who has more than two decades of experience in managing large-scale, global business and technology change programmes, talks through the key factors behind an effective change management strategy and delivery.
How to manage employer engagement with Tony Allen and Ben Drain
Effectively managing employer engagement when delivering apprenticeships is the theme of our first thought-leadership webinar in 2022. Hosted by Tony Allen, an expert and consultant who offers his knowledge of the skills system and the government apprenticeship reform programme, and Ben Drain, Apprenticeships, Operations and Quality Director at Pareto Law, this webinar discussed best practices in employer engagement.
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.
Upcoming events and webinars
AELP National Conference
27 June - 28 JuneAELP Autumn Conference
1 November
AELP National Conference
27 June - 28 JuneAELP Autumn Conference
1 November