UK Skills have released a detailed outline of the process required to include new competitions at WorldSkills London 2011.  This is the only opportunity available to include a Demonstration or Host competition and to be part of the prestigious competition when it comes to the UK.  This is an excellent opportunity to showcase specialist and trade skills and test them against major competitors.  Full definitions of the two types of competition are available in the guidance notes here.

The first stage in this process is to complete the attached International Application form and return to UK Skills before 7 July 2008.  This form is also available via the link above.

Creative and Cultural Skills invites readers to the launch of Creative Blueprint, the sector skills agreement for the creative and cultural industries in Scotland, at Go North, at the Vision Building, 20 Greenmarket, Dundee at 4pm on 6 June 2008.

The Creative Blueprint is the culmination of 18 months work, which began with gathering an evidence base of the skills needs of the advertising, crafts, cultural heritage, design, music and arts sectors in Scotland (and across the UK), and involved developing new initiatives with industry, negotiating with a multitude of industry bodies and stakeholders to arrive at an action plan to address the skills needs of the creative and cultural community in Scotland.

Further to this, Creative and Cultural Skills is pleased to welcome Elizabeth Hurran to its Scottish team.  Elizabeth fills the new role of Qualifications and Standards Advisor - Scotland and Northern Ireland and can be contacted on 0131 225 8125.

ConstructionSkills has announced that Mark Farrar will take up the post of CEO when Peter Lobban retires this August.  Mark is currently the organisation's Director of Corporate Services with responsibility for business planning, human resources, information services, legal functions and finance.  Mark was appointed to the role following a process which involved representatives from across ConstructionSkills' partners network; including, major contractors, SMEs, federations, unions and education partners.

Commenting on this new appointment, ConstructionSkills Chairman, Sir Michael Latham said:

"I am delighted to confirm that Mark received a vote of confidence from all sectors of the construction industry, and from our other important stakeholders, during the interviews.  His excellent track record in his present role also proved to be decisive."

Click here for the full news release.

Lantra, sector skills council for the land based industries, is now recruiting to fill the post of Communications Co-Ordinator for Scotland.  The central purpose of the role is to manage the planning, development and implementation of Lantra’s marketing communications activities to increase the take up of training and to raise the profile of Lantra’s work in Scotland.  This full-time post is based at Lantra's Perth office.  To view the advert, click here.

The Alliance Scotland has offices available for let at our building in central Edinburgh.  The rooms are fully serviced, with IT and telecommunications services easily connected to your organisation's central server.  For more information please contact Iain McCaskey on 0131 226 7726.

The Alliance continues to offer a variety of meeting rooms at competitive rates.  To book a meeting room contact Caroline on 0131 226 7726. 

An order has been laid in the Scottish Parliament  - expected to come into force later this year, subject to Parliamentary agreement - to protect the charitable status of colleges.  Click here for a news release.

SQA is holding a workshop, Credit Rating: Principles and Practice on 29 May 2008.  This session aims to provide those who might become involved in credit rating activity with a thorough knowledge of the SCQF, the concepts of levels and credits and the practice of levelling and allocating credit points to a qualification.  For more information on the session click here.

The latest edition of the Centre for Research in Lifelong Learning's e-newsletter is now available to view online.  This edition announces the 5th annual international conference and the 20th Scottish forum organised by the centre.  Click here to view.

As the SSC lead for adult literacy, language and numeracy, Asset Skills is holding an event titled Adult Literacies: Showcase for SSCs and Key Stakeholders.  This event will take place on Thursday 26 June 2008.  If you would like to receive information about the events as it becomes available, then please contact Sharon Simpson at Asset Skills by email on ssimpson@assetskills.org.

Proskills has announced that its annual conference will take place on 13 November 2008.  This employer focused conference aims to support businesses in achieving a sustainable future.  More.

Click here to learn about the skills and learning issues raised recently in the Scottish Parliament.

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