Training could be extended to health care assistants and auxiliary nurses, after the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust scandal highlighted the urgent need to improve standards of care which is delivered by staff.  Lamb has expressed his concern that there are no clear levels of training for carers and that a course of essential skills should be imperative for care staff.

At present there are no legal requirements for training, except a criminal record check, for people who want to pursue a career in caring for older people in a nursing home or home help environment.  Campaigners have said that they want the training to cover how to provide intimate care e.g. bathing and dressing someone, dispensing medication, nutrition and using equipment correctly e.g. hoists.

Recent reports concerning the mistreatment of elderly and disabled adults in care homes and NHS hospitals have triggered Age UK to highlight the importance of training workers to report any instances of abuse that they see or suspect by their colleagues.  Around 460 000 British residents are being looked after in care homes and a further 1.1 million people in England receive care in their own homes.  Therefore it is vital that all agencies that provide care staff meet safety and quality legal requirements.

The reforms are intended to prepare the UK for the fact that the number of people over the age of 85 is expected to double by 2030. Training is on course to be introduced by the end of March to all care staff and nursing assistants in hospitals after David Cameron commented that he did not want any workers who do not have a basic level of training to provide hands on care within the system.

The training group ‘Skills for Care’ has been developing the training strategies with the Government.  Skills for Care also want to see staff provided with support while they work after they receive their training.

UK-David Cameron and Nick Clegg have failed to reach an agreement on how to cut childcare costs, which has now led to a 40% slash in training budget for child-minders and nursery staff.

The pair were expected to draw up plans allowing the government to aid parents with the increasing cost of childcare bills.  However the slash in training budget has now dashed hopes of more childcare staff being trained and a bigger expansion in the childcare sector to try and bring down costs.

Stephen Twigg, Shadow Education Secretary argued that the intention of the English childcare system copying the French system will not cut costs for parents.  The French childcare system currently has a ratio of one member of staff for every  eight children, which is double the amount currently adopted by the English system.

Twigg’s praises of the Swedish system, which has no rules in place regarding ratios, did not sit well with Liz Truss, the Education Minister.  It is reported that Truss sees Twigg’s proposals as opportunistic and incoherent. She also highlighted how the childcare system that Labour left behind as high in costs and low in staff wages.

The debate over the future of the English childcare system comes at a time when the results of a new study have shown that the most deprived families receive the poorest standard of childcare.  Labour was able to compare how significantly the budget for training child-care staff had been cut amongst 140 councils in England by using the Freedom of Information Laws.  2010-11 saw £93.3 million spent on helping nurseries to employ well-trained staff but the following year saw a decrease to £56 million.

Truss is planning to remove some of the red-tape burden on child-care employers in a bid to cut back on how much British parents spend on childcare bills.  However Twigg has referred to a survey that showed 81 per cent of child-minders agreeing that they would not alter their fees if ratios were increased.  This would mean that child-minders could be responsible for eight children as opposed to four whilst at the same fee, which could potentially jeopardise a child’s learning and safety.

A new report by Think Tank, a policy exchange, has highlighted that only 6 in 10 child-minders are rated as good or better by Ofsted in deprived areas.  The report has triggered the Government to contemplate whether they can use the ‘Teach First’ programme, which is a training programme for graduates to work in schools in deprived areas, to also improve education for early-years.

The Xbox 360 Kinect may become a useful tool for the U.S. military. According to a recent article from DefenseNews.com, Microsoft is working with the Air Force and Army to explore uses of the video game accessory to help wounded soldiers and develop new monitoring and training techniques.

The Kinect device is an add-on for the Xbox 360 Console which detects the users motion and translates that onto the screen. For example, if users swings their arms in a golfing action, the software could show the users on their TV screen swinging a simulated golf club.

See the Kinect HERE

The possible uses of this motion detection technology for the military are numerous. One example being the detection of pilot movement to see if they are fatigued.

Microsoft is investing marketing and R&D budgets to develop a Kinect therapy system that can be used by soldiers during rehabilitation and make use of the interactive technology. Details of how it might be used are sketchy, but it is thought that soldiers would be able to do physical therapy exercises at home without the need to attend a medical facility. According to Microsoft, this type of home therapy program could cut hospital costs and free up resources. It also claims that the Kinect is a cheaper alternative to other therapies and does not require as much supervision.

One method of accelerating the rehabilitation of soldiers suffering from PTSD is carefully controlled interaction with other soldiers and professional therapists. However, on many occasions this is very difficult to achieve because of distance between potential candidates. To overcome this, Microsoft has developed a method which makes use of the Xbox 360 Kinect as a conduit for communication between soldiers and professional psychologists. Using this technology, soldiers are able to connect to others for group therapy sessions through the Xbox 360 Kinect without leaving their home in an anonymous environment.

Video below shows some of the features of Xbox Kinect

The Air Force and Army are also exploring the option of using the Kinect for simulation training. The Xbox 360 Kinect is cheaper than other motion simulators on the market and could prove cost effective if adopted carefully. Microsoft is looking at ways in which the video game system could provide real training for soldiers. It is not sharing any details of these programs yet, but something along the lines of an even more realistic version of Call of Duty is one tempting idea.

Microsoft’s development program for its Kinect therapy system and simulation training is ongoing with the military. However, it will be a while before these techniques are fully implemented as all new devices go through extensive testing before being used by any military branch.

It may take several years before a wounded soldier receives an Xbox 360 Kinect for physical therapy purposes, or soldiers receive their basic shooting training from the comfort of their lounges at home and an XBox Kinect.

See the Kinect HERE

UK – Former Dragon’s Den entrepreneur Doug Richards has written a report demanding the government improves their apprenticeship programme as evidence surfaces that standards are falling.

Richards’ report reminds the reader that for unless apprenticeships equip workers with the highest level of skills and qualifications then they are unlikely to be of any value to the employer.

He recommends a new framework for apprenticeship schemes which would incorporate some level of testing to ensure all apprentices hold a good standard of English and Maths.  Richards also proposes a new worked-based entry into employment programme instead of the existing level 2 apprenticeships.

‘The Richards Review’ suggests looking again at the core features of apprenticeships whilst asking the question, ‘what does it mean to be an apprentice and what should an apprenticeship consist of?’

Apprenticeships often only last from a few weeks up to several months which halts the transition of an apprentice gaining the skills to be a skilled worker.

Complaints have also surfaced of agencies exchanging low quality apprenticeships with businesses.  This is because both parties are aware that with each government led apprenticeship, a pot of government funding will be delivered to the agency and business that offer the apprenticeship.

Richards also warns that government-led training programmes may implement a distance between the apprentice and the employer.  This is because traditionally employers trained apprentices in their skilled profession but now trained professionals, employed by the government, take this role.

Richards finishes his report by expressing his hope that in the future when parents hear their child is taking up an apprenticeship, they will know their child will be receiving high quality training.

Education Secretary Michael Gove has agreed with Richards and commented that when employers receive an apprentice, the government needs to ensure that employers will be confident in the apprentice’s abilities and qualifications.  He concludes that apprenticeships need to be reformed in order for them to stay relevant in the future.

Director of policy for the manufacturers’ organisation EEF, Steve Radley, added that apprenticeships will only be able to face oncoming challenges by revolutionising the approach to apprenticeships.

The Government have agreed to respond to the report in the New Year.  They want to increase the number of young people entering apprenticeships and are aiming for it to be a realistic alternative to attending university.

UK – It has been reported that the Department of Education are set to introduce tougher tests for trainee teachers in order to ensure all potential teachers have high levels of literacy and numeracy.

Education Secretary Michael Gove wishes to improve standards in the classroom by implementing a system from next September through which only people who pass certain verbal, abstract reasoning and numerical exams can begin to train as a teacher. Labour have pointed out that only three months ago the government allowed teachers without any formal teaching qualifications to be employed by free schools. However David Laws, the Education Minister claimed that the policy change was due to the fact that teachers are not adequately supporting children in the decision of choosing high ranked universities and good careers.

The new system has been devised by a group of selected head teachers and educational specialists who met in March. The group were alarmed by the number of re-sits that trainee teachers were allowed to take in their literacy and numeracy tests so this autumn will see for the first time a set limit of ‘two re-sits’ for each paper. The pass mark for the papers is expected to keep on rising. Gove has established that he wants to close the gap between the rich and poor by employing the best teachers in all classrooms. However, the Shadow Schools Minister, Kevin Brennan, disagrees with the claim that the government wishes to improve the quality of teachers. He notes the growing number of schools gaining academy status has led to more unqualified teachers being able to teach and influence pupils.

The General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Christine Blower, agrees with Brennan. Blower believes that tougher entry exams are not the solution but that supporting trainee teachers during their training is the key to improving the standard of the teaching profession. Blower added the view that teachers need to be able to support young people in their future path by fully understanding child development.

Kevin Brennan reported that around 10 000 teachers have already left their job due to a lack of morale concerning the mixed messages from the government. Brennan added that he feels strongly that the government need to devise a consistent plan if they want to elevate the level of teaching in UK schools.

UK- John Vine,Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, has reported that untrained staff at Heathrow airport have allowed terror suspects to enter the UK, just weeks before the start of the Olympic Games.  The Border Agency has been accused of allocating untrained staff from other departments to passport control positions in order to minimise lengthy queues. A senior border officer has claimed that inadequately trained staff are failing to carry out vital security checks.

Since the beginning of July, three terror suspects that are registered on the Home Office watch list have entered the UK via Heathrow airport.  This report coincides with the security firm G4S stating that it would not be able to provide enough security guards for the games.  The home secretary Theresa May has come under fire for not organising more security personnel for the Games after the issue was flagged up 10 months ago.  Around 3,500 troops have been ordered by the Government to become temporary security guards during the Olympics.  However it is a double blow for troops as those on leave from Afghanistan have been asked to fill in. In addition there is no report that they will receive any extra fees for this last minute stand-in.  Anonymous workers have already spoken out saying that training to be a Games security officer was below an acceptable level.

Vine agreed that staff with basic immigration training and experience were working in immigration control.  However the Border Agency view Vine’s inspection as positive due to the findings that all contingency staff in immigration control were trained on the checks that they needed to carry out.

The Border Force also pride themselves in creating a central control room in order to cater for the management of recruiting more Border Force officers.  They added that Border Force is changing the way it works in order to secure the UK’s borders.

The immigration security problem has come at the same time as a group of IT consultants being fired by MI5 due to a supercomputer that would help MI5 to track terror suspects not being ready in time for the Olympics.

UK – This year’s large number of school leavers has increased the amount of young people who are not in employment or training to almost a million.  The Department of Education has reported that in the first three months of this year, there were one in six 16-24 year olds in NEET, which stands for ‘not in education, employment or training’.  There are currently 954 000 NEET young people, which is a three per cent increase compared to the first three months of 2011.

This incredibly high figure reflects the dismal reality of the UK economy — that the recession has left a lack of public and private jobs for young people.  It is highly unlikely that the problem of young unemployment will be reduced anytime soon. The Office for National Statistics has announced that the British economy has shrank by 0.3% in 2012 so far.

A spokesman for the Department of Education claimed that the introduction of the Youth Contract scheme will lead to a rise in the number of young people in employment.  The scheme is run by the government, who have recently invested £1billion in order to offer incentive funds, with the hope of encouraging companies to employ young people.

However, as a long term measure the Department of Education has plans to improve standards of vocational education in schools.  This will be reassurance for employers, in that school leavers have the relevant skills and qualifications to excel in their company.

Current statistics show a worrying 18.5 per cent of 19-24 year olds as NEET.  Labour has accused the Conservative government of jeopardising the future of the next generation.  Shadow Education Minister, Karen Buck, has criticised the Conservatives claiming that they are enacting the biggest cuts in education since the 1950s, which have not helped Britain to get out of recession.  Britain is experiencing a double dip recession while youth unemployment continues to rise.

It was reported in September of last year that there were more UK school leavers classed as ’NEET’ than in countries such as Estonia and Slovenia.  This year has not seen any real improvement and it seems that a generation of young people have been forgotten.

UK – A free training programme designed to raise awareness of dementia among doctors has been devised by the Alzheimer’s Society and BMJ Learning.  The training programme was introduced after a recent survey by the society highlighted that only 37% of GPs in the UK have been on awareness training of this type.

The education division of the BMJ Group, BMJ Learning, is lending its medical educative expertise to the Alzheimer’s Society in order to tailor an online training programme.  The training is a response to the overwhelming 71% of GPs who would like to know more about the management and symptoms of dementia.

Currently less than 50% of people with dementia are formally diagnosed due to various factors, such sufferers being too afraid to go and speak to their GP due to the stigma attached to the illness.  Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Society, Jeremy Hughes, believes that with the introduction of this training, GPs will be better equipped to support people with dementia.

Alzheimer’s Society will also be offering long term help to GPs alongside the online learning tool.  GPs can expect help with signposting patients to dementia information services and support in assessing people with memory problems.  Editor of BMJ Learning, Dr Kieran Walsh, is positive about the collaboration with Alzheimer’s Society and is confident that GPs will be able to provide the best treatment for their patients after learning more about dementia care on the online training tool.

A GP from Wigan described the new training tool as important due to the fact that doctors will be able to spot signs of dementia earlier on.  Earlier detection will have a positive effect on providing treatment and support for people with signs of dementia, as the earlier the condition is treated the more effective the treatment will be.

Modules including non-drug treatments for behavioural symptoms and early diagnosis feature on the free training tool.  Research by Alzheimer’s Society has shown that the current number of 800,000 people suffering from dementia in the UK will dramatically rise, to a million people in ten years’ time.  The recent Alzheimer’s Society ‘Worried about your memory?’ campaign raised awareness of dementia within  GP practices.  The Society’s survey was part of the evaluation for the campaign in order to promote early diagnosis of dementia in the UK.

Portland, a young offenders’ institution in Dorset, UK, has been commended for its aim to re-train all youth in education to minimise their chance of re-offending.  Portland, a borstal that holds men aged from 18 to 21 years, has said that they want to steer offenders on the right path by offering them the chance to study a range of courses that will give them a greater chance of employment.  Courses that currently run at the institution range from layering bricks to horticulture.

The Howard League for Penal Reform has recognised the centre’s work to help reduce re-offending.  Deputy Governor of Portland, Steve Hodson, backed up the League’s view, commenting that he is convinced that they will experience good results shortly as he believes that education and training reduce re-offending.  Spokesman for the League, Andrew Neilson, added that Portland’s training opportunities were a refreshing change as many inmates spend their time in prison doing nothing.  The figure for young people out of work currently stands at 1 million so offenders need training to stand any kind of chance in the outside world of employment.

The workforce at Portland have commented on the change that they have seen over the past twenty years.  Head of security at Portland, Matt Shepherd, said that offenders now leave prison with newly gained skills and a freshly instilled work ethic.  However twenty years ago there would have been a higher chance of people leaving prison to re-offend or to get a minimum wage job.

Young offenders in Portland have responded favourably to the opportunity of gaining qualifications, making it easier for them to find work.  It has also been reported that the Ministry of Justice has stressed the point that once criminals are released, they should be reformed characters and not simply returning back to crime.

Portland’s training opportunities for offenders comes after Boris Johnson’s scheme to cut youth re-offending.  The London Mayor’s scheme used £3 million of public money to help 220 of Feltham Young Offenders’ Institution inmates back into education and employment.  The charity Rathbone employed ‘resettlement brokers’ to help offenders back into education.  However only one in six inmates remained in education, training or employment for the target of six months.

UK – This week Guardian News and Media announced that they will branch into journalism training in 2013.  The Guardian is set to launch their course in digital journalism after making a loss of £33 million last year.

The training course will cost a student £9000 to study towards the journalism qualification. The Guardian has decided to offer their training course through a partnership with a university. Spokesman for PR at Guardian News and Media Richard Lindsay commented that as yet, GNM has not chosen the university with which they will collaborate.

City University in London were in talks with the Guardian about a potential partnership in February but the talks broke up without a final agreement.  The Guardian has not confirmed the name of the university with which they are now in talks.Lindsay stated that the Guardian’s journalism training course would offer an insight from people in the industry.  In addition, it would also be a guide of how to use new information systems advantageously in the modern world of professional journalism.

The Guardian’s move into the training business has come at a time when, after making a loss last year, the newspaper faces going out of print.  Journalists working for the Guardian always comment that the newspaper for its focus on reporting on the facts unlike some newspapers which primarily focus on making a profit.  The Chief Executive of GMG, Andrew Miller, has told staff that if no changes are made then the newspaper will be forced to publish only in electronic form as it is expected that cash will run out in approximately five years.

Struggling media businesses would do well to follow the Guardian’s example.  Media companies can generate money and also give back to the community by teaching the skills of how to write in a compelling way within the media.  The content of the digital journalism training course could include interviewing techniques, photography and how to produce and edit videos.  By teaching the community readers and web users can expect a larger number of citizen journalists to emerge to fill more editorial jobs.

Future opportunities could include media companies teaching other companies in how to use high quality media to tell their stories effectively.  This could be a long-term money saving technique as most businesses turn to PR companies to get their stories published.  Businesses could learn how to improve business communications and ultimately strengthen the bond between media and business.