HSBC Support Apprenticeships

HSBC announced on Friday (1 April 2011) that it is set to join the government's Apprenticeship scheme which will initially provide nationally recognised qualifications to around 1,000 of its employees.

The government is actively encouraging financial and professional services firms to set up such schemes. Apprenticeships should prove attractive to people who haven't had the benefit of a university education including school leavers who want to follow a profession and gain qualifications but do not want to go to university.

Although HSBC will pitch its scheme at a higher level than the basic government Apprenticeship scheme, it will be aimed at non-graduate employees, thereby giving those successful staff an equivalent qualification that could be achieved through further education. It is anticipated that a quarter of the apprentices on the pilot will come from staff newly recruited to the bank and that the qualification will take, on average, around 18 months to complete.

For the full story visit HSBC Support Apprenticeships

Fall in number of Welsh Students

CONCERNS were raised yesterday after a survey of school-leavers found a 4% drop in the number of Welsh students going to university.

The percentage of sixth-formers progressing into higher education has fallen from 60% in 2009 to 56% in 2010, according to Careers Wales.

Overall, the percentage of pupils continuing in full-time education at school, college or university fell from 80% in 2009 to 79% last year.

The dip in classroom learning coincided with a shift into the workplace, as 214 more 18-year-olds in Wales plumped for early employment.

Dr Philip Dixon, director of teaching union ATL Cymru, blamed spiralling costs for the "disturbing" fall in numbers going to university.

"The decline is doubtless to do with the thought of greater tuition fees and with the debt that youngsters think they will incur by studying higher education," he said.

"Obviously, some local authorities are working harder than others to ensure their youngsters get into higher education. That has to be applauded but their work must also be shared."

Fall in number of Welsh Students (Full Story here)

First 4 Skills join CV and Job Store

First4Skills is one of the UK's largest training providers, with 30 years experience in ensuring that businesses right across the UK have access to a workforce with the right skills to improve their performance - now and into the future.

For thousands of people, and businesses all over the UK, First4Skills deliver training that delivers results.

Through advanced apprenticeships, vocational qualifications and everything in between, each year we’re helping over 14,000 learners gain qualifications and make the most of their potential.

First 4 Skills are the latest National Training Provider to join the The CV and Job Store

With over 15 posts advertised nationally, including:
Area Manager (Retail/Customer Service)
Retail Assessor (South West)
Sales Executive (Manchester)

Visit the site to view full list: http://www.cvjobstore.com/