The standards development team at Security House would like to see as many industry practitioners as possible lend their knowledge and experience to the review. An Advisory Working Group is being formed to start work in May.
Ruth Oliver, the skills and standards manager at Skills for Security, said: “We’re looking for people who work within the fire and security systems sectors and who know what is required to reflect current working practices.”
The work will take place between May and November and will be a combination of workshops and e-mail consultation.
“National Occupational Standards are a free resource for employers and training providers,” explained Oliver. “They provide a wealth of benefits to the industry and also help to ensure that a benchmark for high standards is retained throughout training and qualifications within the different sectors.”
Anyone interested in taking part or wanting to find out more should send an e-mail to: [email protected] or have a look at the website
Sorensen Centre hosts post-Budget Breakfast Briefing
Skills for Security hosted over 50 local business leaders at the Sorensen Centre in Barbourne Road, Worcester to hear Robin Walker MP explain what the budget will mean for the local economy.
Directors from large employers, such as Worcester Bosch and Sanctuary Housing, joined the owners of small businesses, local councillors and representatives from the financial, legal, education and health sectors for refreshments and networking before Walker presented his key budget points.
While the budget may have been short on ‘spin’, Walker urged the audience to look at the substance of what the Government is determined to achieve:
- supporting businesses by reducing corporation tax
- helping working people by raising the income tax threshold
- providing security for the economy by way of continued deficit reduction
- continuing to invest in skills and local infrastructure
- delivering a better deal for pensioners with the record increase in state pension of GB pound 5.30 per week
- promoting exports to help growth in the manufacturing sector
Answering questions from the audience
Walker answered questions from the floor including those focused on incentives for young people to invest in pensions, persuading the banks to lend responsibly to businesses and easier access to business advice.
He pledged his support to encourage companies to populate the new Technology Park in Worcester which will help to reverse the current net export of educated and talented young people from the county.
Gary Woodman, executive director of the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), then focused on what the LEP is doing to drive the economy through business growth, job creation and provision of the centralised advice that companies need. Although Worcestershire has many advantages, Woodman cautioned against the ‘culture of contentment’ that can restrict ambition for growth.
He identified the key issues for Worcestershire as tackling unemployment, poorly paid and low-skilled employment and an ageing population.
However, the Growing Places Fund grant of GB pound 3.4 million will contribute to four projects across the county, all of which will result in new opportunities for employment. The role of the LEP is to act as a catalyst, working with local businesses to co-ordinate and build on existing initiatives.
David Greer, the CEO at Skills for Security and a member of the Worcestershire LEP Board, thanked Robin Walker and Gary Woodman and the briefing concluded with the presentation of a cheque to Walker’s chosen charity, namely the St Richard’s Hospice.
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