Coverage Highlights for November 2006

Financial Times—1 Nov 2006

First employer-led academies launched (Subscription required)

This article covers the launch of the National Skills Academy network mentioning that the first three Academies have been launched with the aim of filling skills shortages and improving productivity in the manufacturing, financial services, and construction industries. Proposals for further Academies were announced by Alan Johnson, education secretary.

The Times—1 Nov 2006

Rock school and atom college prepare workforce for future

Alan Johnson, the Education Secretary, announced yesterday that three Skills Academies would open their doors before the end of the year, focusing on manufacturing, construction and financial services.

The Academies, which will provide vocational training for school leavers and adults, will be followed by a second wave of new Academies that will prepare students for jobs in the nuclear industry, the performing arts and the process industries and hospitality sectors.

The Independent—1 Nov 2006

Specialists colleges to teach rock music and nuclear physics

The Government is to open the first specialist nuclear Academy—to train thousands of people for work in the industry. The Nuclear Skills Academy will be open for students over the age of 16 to attend and is one of seven focusing on different areas of the economy announced by Education Secretary Alan Johnson yesterday.

The Daily Telegraph—1 Nov 2006

£20m Academy for the counter revolutionaries

Mr Blair attended the launch of the National Skills Academy for retail yesterday. He toured the facility, located just off Oxford Street in the West End of London, with the retail billionaire Sir Philip Green. His Arcadia group has teamed up with Marks & Spencer, GUS, Tesco and Next to invest £20 million in the venture.

The Daily Express—1 Nov 2006

Green’s Dream Team

Article focusing on the National Skills Academy for Retail, spearheaded by Sir Philip Green. The article mentions the initiative, aimed at training the next generation of retail talent, is a joint venture between the Government and business. Prime Minister Tony Blair and Secretary of State for Education Alan Johnson visited the new Academy.

The Daily Star—1 Nov 2006

It’ll suit you, sir!

Tony Blair was offered a new job in women’s clothes as he opened the new £20 million National Skills Academy for Retail. The Academy was the brainchild of Sir Philip Green who helped set it up with an estimated £5 million donation.

Birmingham Post—1 Nov 2006

Nuclear industry bids for national skills Academy

The nuclear industry is bidding for one of Tony Blair’s new national skills academies, the Government announced. The Academies are intended to improve standards of training for workers in a variety of British industries.

The Government announced that the first three Academies will open soon for the financial services, construction and manufacturing sectors, while a fourth, for the food and drink industry, is close to being approved.

Financial Adviser—Nov 2006

Government launches Academy to boost skills

The Government has launched a National Skills Academy for financial services, to offer Apprenticeships, foundation degrees and specialist programmes. Phil Hope, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Skills, launched the Academy at the Financial Services Skills Council just two weeks after the government committed itself to a 10-year plan to improve financial capability.

Disclaimer: All views expressed in these articles are those of the individual media listed and are not representative of the Learning and Skills Council.