South Thames College Open Day rescheduled - Due to the recent bad weather South Thames College unfortunately had to postpone their open day scheduled for Tuesday 3rd February 2009, to Tuesday 3rd March 2009 3pm-7.30pm at the Wandsworth site. If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the college on 020 8918 7777.

Student Finance England launch - February 2009 - Student Finance England will launch in February 2009 for students entering higher education for the first time from September 2009. The new service gives students a simple, easy to understand and flexible method of applying for student finance. Find out more.

Future TV is a web 2.0 TV Channel aimed at 16 - 25 year olds who are not currently in employment, education or training. For more information email pierre@spacestudios.org.uk or call 020 8525 4341/4330.

Shine 09 - Youth Action Network is thirteen years old and in honour of the occasion they will be hosting a whole day dedicated to Youth Action on Wednesday 18 February 2009 in East London.

Celebrating Youth – UK Youth are urgently seeking youth workers and young people to participate in some interesting and rewarding research.

Hear MY Voice is looking to set up an advisory forum of young Muslims aged 16-30. Please contact Tasneem Mahmood on 07971 930655 or email: for further information.

The Mayor’s proposals and call to young people – The children and young person’s version of ‘Time For Action’, the Mayor’s programme on youth violence prevention, was launched on 3rd November 2008, and there is an online consultation form for young people to complete.

Commonwealth Essay Competition – If you are 18 years old or younger, why not enter the Commonwealth Essay Competition. Entries must be in by 1st March 09.

Anti-knife crime campaigners get online resources – The government has launched online resources for young people and youth groups who want to campaign against knife crime.

CLC Impact Report quarter 3 - View the report to see the outcomes of your work with young people.

DCSF Consultations - DCSF are consulting on a proposed new school report card. It could include a report on what the school is doing to promote economic wellbeing. It suggests that schools should ensure that young people are supported in making their 14-19 choices.

Prime Minister launches Premier League Community Sports Clubs – Premier League football clubs are to offer thousands of young people the chance to get involved in Olympic sports.

Anti-gang banning orders planned – Young people who join gangs could face banning orders to control their movements and prevent gun and knife crime.

Tellus portal – The first phase of the Tellus portal was released last month and they would like to hear your views.

Young people’s attitude to food and smoking – A new report from SHEU has released findings from surveys on young people’s attitudes to food and smoking and examines the trends from 1983 to the present day.

NSPCC gain figures on sexual offences against children – More than 20,000 sex offences against children were recorded last year. Click here to read more.

Child abuse unit paying for data – The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) has had to pay tens of thousand of pounds to internet firms for information. 

Anti-knife crime campaigners get online resources – The government has launched online resources for young people and youth groups who want to campaign against knife crime.

CLC Impact Report quarter 3 - View the report to see the outcomes of your work with young people.

DCSF Consultations - DCSF are consulting on a proposed new school report card. It could include a report on what the school is doing to promote economic wellbeing. It suggests that schools should ensure that young people are supported in making their 14-19 choices.

Prime Minister launches Premier League Community Sports Clubs – Premier League football clubs are to offer thousands of young people the chance to get involved in Olympic sports.

Anti-gang banning orders planned – Young people who join gangs could face banning orders to control their movements and prevent gun and knife crime.

Tellus portal – The first phase of the Tellus portal was released last month and they would like to hear your views.

Young people’s attitude to food and smoking – A new report from SHEU has released findings from surveys on young people’s attitudes to food and smoking and examines the trends from 1983 to the present day.

NSPCC gain figures on sexual offences against children – More than 20,000 sex offences against children were recorded last year. Click here to read more.

Child abuse unit paying for data – The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) has had to pay tens of thousand of pounds to internet firms for information. 

Information and advice services to face reforms – The government is to overhaul information, advice and guidance for young people by introducing a universal entitlement to services.

Education & Skills Act, 2008 - The new Education and Skills Act aims to ensure that the first young people to participate in learning compulsorily beyond 16 receive good quality IAG. Click here to read more.  

New Opportunities White Paper - Fair chances for the future - sets out the Government’s agenda for capturing the jobs of the future and investing in families, communities and citizens. You can download the report here.

Cannabis re classification – Cannabis has now been re classified to a Class B drug.

Aspiration and attainment in deprived communities is a joint project between the Social Exclusion Task Force, DCSF and CLG. It explores the potential to raise the attainment of young people in deprived communities.

Media Portrayal of Young People – Young National Children’s Bureau members have written a report on how young people actually feel about the way they are being portrayed by the British media.

Getting to the point – Policy Exchange has released this report, which discusses four case studies from international cities that have successfully reduced violent gun and knife crime.

What is known about young people carrying and using knives and weapons – Fear and Fashion have published figures on their website showing how many young people are carrying knives and using weapons. To read the article you will need to register for free on the website, which contains a variety of useful resources around young people and knives.

Kids in the Middle – This guide from the DCSF contains small, simple steps to help separating parents realise the impact of their actions on their children and provide them with support through this difficult time.

The Independent Commission on Social Mobility – A report by the Social Mobility Commission argues that a child’s chances of success still depend principally on the background and earnings of his or her parents.

Children's rights: call for evidence – The Joint Committee on Human Rights intends to undertake a short inquiry on children's rights.

Mental Health Foundation survey – The Mental Health Foundation and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers are conducting research into the mental health of children and young people aged 10-21 who care for a parent in England, Wales, and Scotland.

Families in Britain: an evidence paper – This paper, published by the DCSF assembles the key trends and sets out a framework to think about the family.

Information and advice services to face reforms – The government is to overhaul information, advice and guidance for young people by introducing a universal entitlement to services.

Education & Skills Act, 2008 - The new Education and Skills Act aims to ensure that the first young people to participate in learning compulsorily beyond 16 receive good quality IAG. Click here to read more.  

New Opportunities White Paper - Fair chances for the future - sets out the Government’s agenda for capturing the jobs of the future and investing in families, communities and citizens. You can download the report here.

Cannabis re classification – Cannabis has now been re classified to a Class B drug.

Aspiration and attainment in deprived communities is a joint project between the Social Exclusion Task Force, DCSF and CLG. It explores the potential to raise the attainment of young people in deprived communities.

Media Portrayal of Young People – Young National Children’s Bureau members have written a report on how young people actually feel about the way they are being portrayed by the British media.

Getting to the point – Policy Exchange has released this report, which discusses four case studies from international cities that have successfully reduced violent gun and knife crime.

What is known about young people carrying and using knives and weapons – Fear and Fashion have published figures on their website showing how many young people are carrying knives and using weapons. To read the article you will need to register for free on the website, which contains a variety of useful resources around young people and knives.

Kids in the Middle – This guide from the DCSF contains small, simple steps to help separating parents realise the impact of their actions on their children and provide them with support through this difficult time.

The Independent Commission on Social Mobility – A report by the Social Mobility Commission argues that a child’s chances of success still depend principally on the background and earnings of his or her parents.

Children's rights: call for evidence – The Joint Committee on Human Rights intends to undertake a short inquiry on children's rights.

Mental Health Foundation survey – The Mental Health Foundation and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers are conducting research into the mental health of children and young people aged 10-21 who care for a parent in England, Wales, and Scotland.

Families in Britain: an evidence paper – This paper, published by the DCSF assembles the key trends and sets out a framework to think about the family.

Group Work Skills Advanced - This NEW 2 day course is taking place on 24th & 25th February, for further information or to book a place, log on to the Online Training System at www.centrallondonconnexions.org.uk with your username and password. If you do not have a login or have forgotten your details, please contact CLCTraining@rbkc.gov.uk. 

Brief Solutions Focused Therapy - ths is a NEW 3 day course, taking place on 3rd, 11th & 12th March 2009, for more information or to book a place, log on to the CLC training system online.

Supervision & Case work Management - for more information or to book your place on this NEW course, taking place on 20th March 2009, log on to the CLC training system with your username and password. 

Delivering the new requirements for working with young people with LDD - this course is taking place on 25th March 2009, to find out more information, please email CLCTraining@rbkc.gov.uk or to book on, log in at www.centrallondonconnexions.org.uk.

Strategic approaches to young people in the NEET cohort – Partnership for Young London will be running a seminar on Strategic approaches to young people in the NEET cohort on 24 February 2009, click here for a booking form.

Guide to London Children’s Services Week & related events – Government Office for London are hosting a number of events over the next few months. Please email Priya Meisuria or call her on 0207 217 3112 for more information.
 

Schools Out Conference 2009 – This event will be held on Saturday 7 February 2009 in London.

Getting it together for young people’s health – This is the second annual conference of the Association for Young People’s Health. This event will take place on 26 February 2009 in London and will cost £150 for non members.

Understanding Identity, Exploring Differences and Challenging Prejudice – This workshop organised by Youth Access will take place on 26 February 2009 in London.

Young People and Money Programme – A4e have been commissioned by the FSA (Financial Service Authority) to deliver a series of free one day training workshops to intermediaries working with NEET young people aged 16-25 yrs, around the subject of financial capability.

Fantasy vs reality: the impact and influence of pornography on young people – The Family Planning Association are offering training for youth workers to support teenage users of pornographic websites, videos and magazines. This course will take place in London on 22 September 2009 and costs £120.

Heartstart UK is an initiative co-ordinated by the British Heart Foundation to teach members of the public what to do in a life-threatening emergency: simple skills that can save lives.  

Group Work Skills Advanced - This NEW 2 day course is taking place on 24th & 25th February, for further information or to book a place, log on to the Online Training System at www.centrallondonconnexions.org.uk with your username and password. If you do not have a login or have forgotten your details, please contact CLCTraining@rbkc.gov.uk. 

Brief Solutions Focused Therapy - ths is a NEW 3 day course, taking place on 3rd, 11th & 12th March 2009, for more information or to book a place, log on to the CLC training system online.

Supervision & Case work Management - for more information or to book your place on this NEW course, taking place on 20th March 2009, log on to the CLC training system with your username and password. 

Delivering the new requirements for working with young people with LDD - this course is taking place on 25th March 2009, to find out more information, please email CLCTraining@rbkc.gov.uk or to book on, log in at www.centrallondonconnexions.org.uk.

Strategic approaches to young people in the NEET cohort – Partnership for Young London will be running a seminar on Strategic approaches to young people in the NEET cohort on 24 February 2009, click here for a booking form.

Guide to London Children’s Services Week & related events – Government Office for London are hosting a number of events over the next few months. Please email Priya Meisuria or call her on 0207 217 3112 for more information.
 

Schools Out Conference 2009 – This event will be held on Saturday 7 February 2009 in London.

Getting it together for young people’s health – This is the second annual conference of the Association for Young People’s Health. This event will take place on 26 February 2009 in London and will cost £150 for non members.

Understanding Identity, Exploring Differences and Challenging Prejudice – This workshop organised by Youth Access will take place on 26 February 2009 in London.

Young People and Money Programme – A4e have been commissioned by the FSA (Financial Service Authority) to deliver a series of free one day training workshops to intermediaries working with NEET young people aged 16-25 yrs, around the subject of financial capability.

Fantasy vs reality: the impact and influence of pornography on young people – The Family Planning Association are offering training for youth workers to support teenage users of pornographic websites, videos and magazines. This course will take place in London on 22 September 2009 and costs £120.

Heartstart UK is an initiative co-ordinated by the British Heart Foundation to teach members of the public what to do in a life-threatening emergency: simple skills that can save lives.  

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority have produced a report, aimed at being a framework to support economic wellbeing. Although the report is primarily focused towards schools and colleges, with an advice and guidance focus it can also be useful a useful tool for Connexions staff.

The purpose of the document is to improve provision by drawing together important and distinct aspects of the curriculum in one simple tool for curriculum planners. The framework itself comprises of nine elements that cover the range of learning opportunities to deliver a coherent programme.

These are:
1. Recognise, develop and apply their skills for enterprise and employability.
2. Relate their own abilities, attributes and achievements to career intentions, and make informed choices based on an understanding of available options.
3. Develop an awareness of the extent and diversity of opportunities in learning and work.
4. Use their experiences of work to extend their understanding of careers and work.
5. Learn from contact with people who work.
6. Learn about how and why businesses operate.
7. Learn about working practices and environments.
8. Undertake tasks and activities set in work contexts.
9. Engage with ideas, challenges and applications from the business world.

You can download the full document here.

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority have produced a report, aimed at being a framework to support economic wellbeing. Although the report is primarily focused towards schools and colleges, with an advice and guidance focus it can also be useful a useful tool for Connexions staff.

The purpose of the document is to improve provision by drawing together important and distinct aspects of the curriculum in one simple tool for curriculum planners. The framework itself comprises of nine elements that cover the range of learning opportunities to deliver a coherent programme.

These are:
1. Recognise, develop and apply their skills for enterprise and employability.
2. Relate their own abilities, attributes and achievements to career intentions, and make informed choices based on an understanding of available options.
3. Develop an awareness of the extent and diversity of opportunities in learning and work.
4. Use their experiences of work to extend their understanding of careers and work.
5. Learn from contact with people who work.
6. Learn about how and why businesses operate.
7. Learn about working practices and environments.
8. Undertake tasks and activities set in work contexts.
9. Engage with ideas, challenges and applications from the business world.

You can download the full document here.

Before the current economic downturn the predictions had generally been an increase of around 1% yearly in demand for construction workers in London. However, this increased demand did not necessarily mean more Londoners being employed in construction. With the recession taking hold the outlook is beginning to look bleak for construction workers – whether they are Londoners or travel to the capital for work.

Late last year The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) said new orders in the industry had fallen by more than a third and were likely to fall further. The National House Building Council reported that the number of homes started in 2008 was almost half the number started in the previous year. They said that at least 300,000 construction jobs could be lost in the next few years unless the Government brings forward a number of "much-needed" projects (such as plans to renovate schools, upgrade railways, build new hospitals and houses and reconsider shelved transport schemes).

However, the current recession is not bad for all construction staff. Graham Watts, Chief Executive of the Construction Industry Council, believes there are currently lots of construction jobs around for workers in certain sectors. He said: "I've talked to companies working in infrastructure or working the roads, railway tunnels et cetera and, by and large, their order books are still quite buoyant because there is a lot of infrastructural work around." 

ConstructionSkills have welcomed the Government’s drive to create new construction apprenticeships through procurement of new construction work over the coming years. By requiring successful contractors to have apprentices work on the project, it is thought that such a move could help deliver upwards of 7,000 apprenticeships in the next three years. However, the Sector Skills Council for the industry also warned that this could be a tough challenge in today’s economic environment without some added incentives to firms who provide this training. Mark Farrar, Chief Executive, said: “… we need to consider what additional incentives can be provided to SMEs and main contractors to deliver apprenticeship places.”

In the Central London Connexions area the picture for school and college leavers in 2009 so far looks fairly similar to 2008. Most companies have not yet announced apprenticeship numbers for this summer but, with the exception of the RICS, none have said they will not be recruiting this year (yet).

Before the current economic downturn the predictions had generally been an increase of around 1% yearly in demand for construction workers in London. However, this increased demand did not necessarily mean more Londoners being employed in construction. With the recession taking hold the outlook is beginning to look bleak for construction workers – whether they are Londoners or travel to the capital for work.

Late last year The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) said new orders in the industry had fallen by more than a third and were likely to fall further. The National House Building Council reported that the number of homes started in 2008 was almost half the number started in the previous year. They said that at least 300,000 construction jobs could be lost in the next few years unless the Government brings forward a number of "much-needed" projects (such as plans to renovate schools, upgrade railways, build new hospitals and houses and reconsider shelved transport schemes).

However, the current recession is not bad for all construction staff. Graham Watts, Chief Executive of the Construction Industry Council, believes there are currently lots of construction jobs around for workers in certain sectors. He said: "I've talked to companies working in infrastructure or working the roads, railway tunnels et cetera and, by and large, their order books are still quite buoyant because there is a lot of infrastructural work around." 

ConstructionSkills have welcomed the Government’s drive to create new construction apprenticeships through procurement of new construction work over the coming years. By requiring successful contractors to have apprentices work on the project, it is thought that such a move could help deliver upwards of 7,000 apprenticeships in the next three years. However, the Sector Skills Council for the industry also warned that this could be a tough challenge in today’s economic environment without some added incentives to firms who provide this training. Mark Farrar, Chief Executive, said: “… we need to consider what additional incentives can be provided to SMEs and main contractors to deliver apprenticeship places.”

In the Central London Connexions area the picture for school and college leavers in 2009 so far looks fairly similar to 2008. Most companies have not yet announced apprenticeship numbers for this summer but, with the exception of the RICS, none have said they will not be recruiting this year (yet).