Useful Links
Apprenticeships
Apprentices learn on the job, building up knowledge and skills, gaining qualifications and earning money all at the same time.
www.apprenticeships.org.uk
Association of Colleges
The Association of Colleges was created in 1996 as the single voice to promote the interests of further education colleges in England and Wales.
www.aoc.co.uk
Association of Learning Providers
The purpose of the Association of Learning Providers is to influence the education and training agenda to secure national skills strategy that meets the needs of employers and learners.
www.learningproviders.org.uk
The Basic Skills Agency
The national development organisation for literacy and numeracy in England and Wales.
www.basic-skills.co.uk
Basic Skills Observatory
The Observatory updates you on current approaches to raising standards of basic skills. The site gives you access to summaries of the policies, the initiatives and the research that address the key issues. The Observatory also offers signposts and links to further publications and resources.
www.basic-skills-observatory.co.uk
BBC Skillswise
Games, quizzes and more to help you improve your literacy and numeracy.
www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/
BBC Work Website
Offers training to improve skills in areas such as numeracy, communication & information technology.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/
Business Link
Business Link gives practical impartial help and advice to businesses. Easy access to objective information and support.
www.businesslink.gov.uk
Confederation of British Industry (CBI)
CBI—The voice of business. Since 1965, the CBI has been UK business’ most powerful lobbying organisation representing organisations from all sectors, regardless of size.
www.cbi.org.uk
Department for Education and Skills
Creating opportunity, releasing potential, achieving excellence.
www.dfes.gov.uk
Department of Trade & Industry (DTI)
Working to create the conditions for business success and help the UK respond to the challenge of globalisation.
www.dti.gov.uk
Directgov
Visit Directgov to find a course, and for information about financial support, training and workplace learning and how you can fit learning around your lifestyle.
www.direct.gov.uk/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/fs/en/
Employer’s Guide to Good Training
Aimed at employers, the Employer’s Guide to Training Providers will help you choose the most suitable training provider for your business and workforce needs.
http://www.lsc.gov.uk/Whatwedo/Employer/egtp.htm
Federation of Small Businesses
The FSB is the largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms.
www.fsb.org.uk
Focus on Basic Skills
Looks at how the use of ILT is being developed within the Literacy, numeracy and ESOL community.
http://ferl.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?page=83
Get On Campaign
For information about the Government’s adult literacy and numeracy advertising campaign, featuring the ‘Gremlins’ and downloadable marketing materials.
www.dfes.gov.uk/get-on/
Institute of Directors
www.iod.com
Investors in People
The Investors in People Standard is a business improvement tool designed to advance an organisation’s performance through its people.
www.investorsinpeople.co.uk/IIP/Web/default.htm
Jobcentre Plus
Jobcentre Plus is a government agency supporting people of working age from welfare into work, and helping employers to fill their vacancies.
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/
Learndirect
Runs a nationwide network of learning centres offering online courses, in accessible places like sports clubs, leisure centres, churches and libraries.
www.learndirect.co.uk
Learning and Skills Development Agency
A strategic national resource for the development of policy and practice in post-16 education and training.
www.isda.org.uk
Learning for Living
Supports tutors who are helping adults with learning difficulties/disabilities with skills in numeracy and literacy.
www.dfes.gov.uk/readwriteplus/learningforliving/
Move on
Move On is a national project aiming offering Level 1 and 2 learners the new national Certificate in Adult Literacy and numeracy with a free brush-up course, aiming to reach new learners who don’t see themselves as needing help with their basic skills.
www.move-on.org.uk
National Employer Service
Set up by the Learning and Skills Council, the NES seeks to work strategically with large employers to meet their workforce development needs, represent their views and strengthen linkages between employer needs and new emerging skills development.
http://nes.lsc.gov.uk
National Institute for Adult Continuing Education and Learning
Non-government organisation for adult learning in England and Wales. Provides resources and e-mail discussion groups for debate and the sharing of good practice.
www.niace.org.uk
The National Literacy Trust
The National Literacy Trust’s purpose is to make an independent, strategic and practical contribution to the creation of a society in which all can enjoy the skills, confidence and pleasures of literacy to support their educational, economic, social and cultural goals.
www.literacytrust.org.uk
nextstep
Funded by the Learning and Skills Council, and launched in 2004, nextstep is the brand name for face-to-face information and advice services, which are offered free to adults over 20 years of age wanting to learn new skills, retrain or gain new qualifications and improve their career prospects.
www.nextstep.org.uk
Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
Works to maintain and develop the school curriculum and associated assessment, and to accredit and monitor qualifications in schools, colleges and at work.
www.qca.org.uk
Quality Improvement Agengy (QIA previously known as the Learning and Development Agency)
www.qia.org.uk
read-write-plus
Website used as the main source of information and advice on all aspects of implementing the ’Skills for Life’ national strategy.
www.dfes.gov.uk/readwriteplus/
Regional Development Agencies (RDAs)
Regional Development Agencies were set up by Government to promote sustainable economic development in England.
www.englandsrdas.com
Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA)
The Skills for Business network aims to boost the productivity and profitability of the UK.
www.ssda.org.uk
Small Business Council
The Small Business Council is a non Department Independent Body comprising of 15 small business owner managers from all parts of the UK and representing different business sectors.
www.smallbusinesscouncil.org
Small Business Service
An agency of the DTI
www.sbs.gov.uk
Skills Strategy from the DfES
This is the new look Skills Strategy Website. The website will keep you informed of the progress made in delivering the skills strategy as set out in the white paper, 21st Century Skills, Realising Our Potential.
www.dfes.gov.uk/skillsstrategy/
Trades Union Congress (TUC)
The TUC campaigns for a fair deal at work and for social justice at home and abroad.
www.tuc.org.uk
Treasury
www.hm-treasury.gov.uk
UK Online Centres
Aim to give everyone in the UK access to the internet and e-mail near to where they live. Centres help people with limited or no IT skills to learn to use the internet.
www.dfes.gov.uk/ukonlinecentres/
Workers’ Education Association (WEA)
Provides adults with high-quality courses, working with Universities, local education authorities and other organisations.
www.wea.org.uk
Worktrain
Offers a range of jobs and training courses for adults wanting to improve their skills.
www.worktrain.gov.uk
