Delighted to learn today from @shanechowen on Twitter of the NUS Apprenticeship strategy that could save Apprentices from the jaws of the meddling politicians.
If the NUS is able to extend its important work to encompass the development, well-being and safeguarding of Apprentices going forward, then this really is an Apprenticeship Landmark - we could be on the verge of a vocational precedent which promises to at last bring Apprentices into the student fold.
No longer second class 'learners', I trust that the NUS will have the ethical substence to open its arms and create 1 big happy student family.
For too long Apprentices have had no real 'group' identity - they have lived, studied (and worked) in a kind of Govt-imposed isolation bubble ; not seen as true 'academic' students by some, not even seen as true 'employees' by others. An element of this still may exist as we progress to a more progressive 'relationship' between Apprentices and the VQ stakeholders in the UK, but this brave move by the NUS is long overdue and I can only applaud it - common sense finally kicking in.
So here's to the NUS - one of the few organisations left that are never too busy to protect the rights of learners.
Monday 23 May 2011
Tuesday 17 May 2011
Down But Not Out
This Post is all about the future of a credible Careers service.
Current Followers to my Tweets and Posts will know I've been warning about the imposed careers void since the start of the year. It seems in the last month, careers professionals and so-called 'influencers' have been catching on...slowly waking to the nightmare which is becoming reality for the UK.
I suppose the main issue for me is this : For over 20 years the Careers 'service' has actually been fragmented; there are those advisers that work within Education, there are those that work in other sectors - and there are those that seem to be too far from where they started at practitioner level, and have sought to rub shoulders with the politicians in the hope of influencing them.
When fragmented, there is a greater reliance among professionals for a strong and influential professional body to represent them - a total reliance on these 'influencers' to protect, enhance, represent and guide.
I dont think anyone involved with Careers can question the ineffectiveness of the Careers influencers over this recent period when Government has been looking for 'soft' targets - it was a time when they needed to show strength, professionalism and, most importantly, a togetherness. It didn't happen, did it?
The Careers profession is weaker today than it has ever been. Those influencers? They failed; they failed for a number of reasons - they were naive with Government, they were too focused on survival rather than progression, they were effectively 'bought' with the promise of the all new All Age Career Service (AACS). I remember vividly the ICG Conference in Belfast when John Hayes MP launched the AACS as a strategy - and Careers professionals clapped in a delirous frenzy. One problem - they forgot to ask where's the money coming from to pay for the new AACS. That was the naivity perhaps.
What can be done now?
Well, to rely on those that have failed repeatedly before would be like continuing to bet Red on a Black-only roulette table. Crazy.
I know many of you have already made the change - seeking organisations that really can provide a modern and contemporary membership collective that protects and shapes the future of a Careers and Information service. But you know, with fantastic social media channels such as Twitter, the virtual collective could, over time, represent a thoroughly modern membership model - a model where we develop our own social capital and influence, share our knowledge and experience - dare I say, not be so precious about what and who we know but play for the 'team' ?
The shredded remnants of the UK's Career service will be scattered further by the Government's 'ill' wind of change - it is for those that care about the service (rather than their own profile with Government) to dig in now.
From here, we begin the fight back. We should not accept anything that results in the lessening of a careers service - and that is what is coming, make no mistake.
Time for those that care about the future life chances of the next generation to stand up and be heard - because, i think you know now that noone else will do this, for you.
We re-group around the old 'banner'and go forward, together - but not with the old leadership - it really is time for a new future for Careers professionals. Perhaps its time for a new organisation to pick up the baton.
Keep the faith!
Current Followers to my Tweets and Posts will know I've been warning about the imposed careers void since the start of the year. It seems in the last month, careers professionals and so-called 'influencers' have been catching on...slowly waking to the nightmare which is becoming reality for the UK.
I suppose the main issue for me is this : For over 20 years the Careers 'service' has actually been fragmented; there are those advisers that work within Education, there are those that work in other sectors - and there are those that seem to be too far from where they started at practitioner level, and have sought to rub shoulders with the politicians in the hope of influencing them.
When fragmented, there is a greater reliance among professionals for a strong and influential professional body to represent them - a total reliance on these 'influencers' to protect, enhance, represent and guide.
I dont think anyone involved with Careers can question the ineffectiveness of the Careers influencers over this recent period when Government has been looking for 'soft' targets - it was a time when they needed to show strength, professionalism and, most importantly, a togetherness. It didn't happen, did it?
The Careers profession is weaker today than it has ever been. Those influencers? They failed; they failed for a number of reasons - they were naive with Government, they were too focused on survival rather than progression, they were effectively 'bought' with the promise of the all new All Age Career Service (AACS). I remember vividly the ICG Conference in Belfast when John Hayes MP launched the AACS as a strategy - and Careers professionals clapped in a delirous frenzy. One problem - they forgot to ask where's the money coming from to pay for the new AACS. That was the naivity perhaps.
What can be done now?
Well, to rely on those that have failed repeatedly before would be like continuing to bet Red on a Black-only roulette table. Crazy.
I know many of you have already made the change - seeking organisations that really can provide a modern and contemporary membership collective that protects and shapes the future of a Careers and Information service. But you know, with fantastic social media channels such as Twitter, the virtual collective could, over time, represent a thoroughly modern membership model - a model where we develop our own social capital and influence, share our knowledge and experience - dare I say, not be so precious about what and who we know but play for the 'team' ?
The shredded remnants of the UK's Career service will be scattered further by the Government's 'ill' wind of change - it is for those that care about the service (rather than their own profile with Government) to dig in now.
From here, we begin the fight back. We should not accept anything that results in the lessening of a careers service - and that is what is coming, make no mistake.
Time for those that care about the future life chances of the next generation to stand up and be heard - because, i think you know now that noone else will do this, for you.
We re-group around the old 'banner'and go forward, together - but not with the old leadership - it really is time for a new future for Careers professionals. Perhaps its time for a new organisation to pick up the baton.
Keep the faith!
Monday 16 May 2011
Connexions United
Around the UK , right at this moment, what is left of Connexions 'United' ?
After the dust has settled, like a football club that has done well to survive over the years with a limited budget, a harsher reality kicks in - no investment, no new 'players', no chance to compete at the highest level.
In this 'game', their manager knows little about 'football' - head turned by the ideas of others, others that have always controlled the beautiful 'game' and failed to make it a fair and level playing field for all 'teams', because their aim is different.
The 'manager' , on the eve of this most important moment, doubts whether the team can win; and in a free market, decides to enlist the help of 'mercenaries' - 'players' that will never care enough to play for the badge, they are just in the market for the money, financial return.
And so begins the decline of the 'team' and the 'badge'.
After the dust has settled, like a football club that has done well to survive over the years with a limited budget, a harsher reality kicks in - no investment, no new 'players', no chance to compete at the highest level.
In this 'game', their manager knows little about 'football' - head turned by the ideas of others, others that have always controlled the beautiful 'game' and failed to make it a fair and level playing field for all 'teams', because their aim is different.
The 'manager' , on the eve of this most important moment, doubts whether the team can win; and in a free market, decides to enlist the help of 'mercenaries' - 'players' that will never care enough to play for the badge, they are just in the market for the money, financial return.
And so begins the decline of the 'team' and the 'badge'.
Friday 6 May 2011
No Compass
Ive had to dip back into this old post and edit it with a topical update; the Government is now becoming ethically bankrupt when it comes to UK Education.
Today I learnt of their plans to ensure the rich and the talentless get an opportunity to go on to those Universities that want to swell their bank balance.
Anger is compounded when this news is put into the context of the following post:
In recent posts I have warned of the collapse of Youth Services in the UK and the impact on Careers Professionals and young people - feeling a bit like someone shouting from behind a sound proof wall sometimes, but thats the way social media 'rolls' hey?
Picture this: waking up in the morning and finding out that one of the most important times of your life is about to hit you, and, you have been training, learning, you are prepared for this big test.
Then, try and imagine how you might feel when your big test gets scrapped. Its not happening. You were lied to. Your moment, your future, scrapped. Everything you had been told, everyone you had talked to - a complete waste of time.
That exciting future horizon that you focused on for some years - replaced with a tardy, distressed photocopy of the real thing.
What was 'full' turned out to be 'hollow'.
What offered hope was nothing but a great deception.
What you understood to be the rules of this 'game' ? Screwed up and thrown on to a pile of other screw ups.
Those things that you felt were the cornerstone of modern life - opportunity, independence, safety, trust - now relegated to 21st Century pipe dreams.
Q: Now tell me, is this THE FUTURE we want for our children ?
When you go home tonight from work, and if you are lucky enough to have children, how can you look them in the eye if you support the decimation of our Youth Services?
Your uncertain future, will be their bleak past - the worst foundation to build any comfortable life from.
This could be our legacy to the future youth of the UK - want that on your conscience when you get home?
Government is weak, some would argue opposition is weaker. In my eyes, 'politics' is weak, MPs are weaker.
Social Media gives us the tools and the means to unite - to pressure, to make life more difficult, to ask probing questions of those making decisions.
I cannot believe that most of us do not care.
Thanks for reading.
Today I learnt of their plans to ensure the rich and the talentless get an opportunity to go on to those Universities that want to swell their bank balance.
Anger is compounded when this news is put into the context of the following post:
In recent posts I have warned of the collapse of Youth Services in the UK and the impact on Careers Professionals and young people - feeling a bit like someone shouting from behind a sound proof wall sometimes, but thats the way social media 'rolls' hey?
Picture this: waking up in the morning and finding out that one of the most important times of your life is about to hit you, and, you have been training, learning, you are prepared for this big test.
Then, try and imagine how you might feel when your big test gets scrapped. Its not happening. You were lied to. Your moment, your future, scrapped. Everything you had been told, everyone you had talked to - a complete waste of time.
That exciting future horizon that you focused on for some years - replaced with a tardy, distressed photocopy of the real thing.
What was 'full' turned out to be 'hollow'.
What offered hope was nothing but a great deception.
What you understood to be the rules of this 'game' ? Screwed up and thrown on to a pile of other screw ups.
Those things that you felt were the cornerstone of modern life - opportunity, independence, safety, trust - now relegated to 21st Century pipe dreams.
Q: Now tell me, is this THE FUTURE we want for our children ?
When you go home tonight from work, and if you are lucky enough to have children, how can you look them in the eye if you support the decimation of our Youth Services?
Your uncertain future, will be their bleak past - the worst foundation to build any comfortable life from.
This could be our legacy to the future youth of the UK - want that on your conscience when you get home?
Government is weak, some would argue opposition is weaker. In my eyes, 'politics' is weak, MPs are weaker.
Social Media gives us the tools and the means to unite - to pressure, to make life more difficult, to ask probing questions of those making decisions.
I cannot believe that most of us do not care.
Thanks for reading.
Thursday 5 May 2011
Social Media - The Ultimate Membership Organisation
The last few years have seen a decline in the numbers of some of the UK's oldest (and some might add respected) professional membership organisations. I think this is a trend that will not only continue, but exponentially shake the world of professional organisation membership for the future.
The cause? Technology and our ability to maximise our social capital by utilising this technology.
Unless, like some of the more enlightened membership organisations, these bodies are able to adapt to the imediacy of opportunity that exists within 'social media channelling', they will continue to witness a substantial drop in membership numbers.
So why? Part of the reason is that traditional membership organisations relied on traditional methods of communication and influence; monthly journals are being replaced by e-zines, market knowledge is public knowledge, membership 'benefits' don't seem to offer much 'benefit' anymore in a UK buying culture which has been shaped, after being savaged, by a global recession.
Where does it go from here? Well, as in the song, "Down to the lake, I fear"
The social media 'lake', that is.
The cause? Technology and our ability to maximise our social capital by utilising this technology.
Unless, like some of the more enlightened membership organisations, these bodies are able to adapt to the imediacy of opportunity that exists within 'social media channelling', they will continue to witness a substantial drop in membership numbers.
So why? Part of the reason is that traditional membership organisations relied on traditional methods of communication and influence; monthly journals are being replaced by e-zines, market knowledge is public knowledge, membership 'benefits' don't seem to offer much 'benefit' anymore in a UK buying culture which has been shaped, after being savaged, by a global recession.
Where does it go from here? Well, as in the song, "Down to the lake, I fear"
The social media 'lake', that is.
Tuesday 3 May 2011
The Kick in the Teeth for Careers Professionals
If it was possible to reduce the life chances of young people in the UK further, we can deduce from the cuts to Youth Services (which in turn have decimated Connexions services) that the Government is hell bent on finding out just how bad a Careers Service can get before it is, no longer, a 'service'.
Connexions and Youth Service workers up and down the UK have been made redundant from front line services to young people.
The 'new' AACS (All Age Careers Service) will be starting life with not just one arm tied behind its back but , as a complete basket case, in my opinion; potentially being demoted to unqualified staff in the corner of a JobCentre near you - where you might also be able to pick up an Apprenticeship opportunity or even a ...Job!
For young people in particular, it must be confusing - the majority of schools will continue to be pressured toward higher student numbers going on to HE, or otherwise they will become 'apprentices'. The funding issues surrounding HE options have been well documented so I wont go there, but suffice it to say that if ever there was little incentive to go on to HE, it could be now.
So, if HE is not the right option, is an Apprenticeship a realistic alternative option for the 'less academic' ? Well, it may have been once! However, with the new apprentice target numbers we have the potential danger of devaluing what being an apprentice actually means in a modern world ; we have already seen a similar devaluation in the graduate market place - alongside growing numbers of unemployed graduates as a result.
Its rather a bleak picture - when you add the context - that the 'Careers' market has been poorly served historically by the professional organisations that are in place to protect the profession; infact, if it wasnt for the supportive actions and foresight of the Trade Unions, the latest cuts could have been the final nail in the careers coffin.
So, what does the future landscape for careers look like? If you are a student or mature person looking for quality advice it comes down to postcode lottery or your own social capital. If you are a Careers Adviser, then you are one of the lucky few to still be in post; the private sector offers you potentially a future, all be it a different role in a modern market place where you will need to be flexible and adaptive.
So much for Big Society - for Careers, particularly in school, HT's will be spending much more time trying to evaluate the offerings from a myriad of potential new CEIAG suppliers - with many being shallow offerings that are weak replacements and could be argued sub standard going forward for young people.
There has been some recent and lively debate about 'techno natives' recently ( see @timbuckteeth on Twitter ) - but whether you agree that the 'young' are indeed this new techno savvy breed, or not, we may all have to agree that, when it comes to CEIAG, their technical knowledge may end up being their own salvation.
So, I predict that membership numbers of organisations such as the Institute of Career Guidance will fall substantially during this period of a new AACS - having failed to influence Government sufficiently to safeguard its members' futures, those that are left when the dust settles (and they will be fewer in number), may well look toward other futures - and with Library cuts equally violent, options are looking thin on the ground.
We will miss the Connexions organisation dearly - and only time will now tell if the private sector will fill that gaping void.
Connexions and Youth Service workers up and down the UK have been made redundant from front line services to young people.
The 'new' AACS (All Age Careers Service) will be starting life with not just one arm tied behind its back but , as a complete basket case, in my opinion; potentially being demoted to unqualified staff in the corner of a JobCentre near you - where you might also be able to pick up an Apprenticeship opportunity or even a ...Job!
For young people in particular, it must be confusing - the majority of schools will continue to be pressured toward higher student numbers going on to HE, or otherwise they will become 'apprentices'. The funding issues surrounding HE options have been well documented so I wont go there, but suffice it to say that if ever there was little incentive to go on to HE, it could be now.
So, if HE is not the right option, is an Apprenticeship a realistic alternative option for the 'less academic' ? Well, it may have been once! However, with the new apprentice target numbers we have the potential danger of devaluing what being an apprentice actually means in a modern world ; we have already seen a similar devaluation in the graduate market place - alongside growing numbers of unemployed graduates as a result.
Its rather a bleak picture - when you add the context - that the 'Careers' market has been poorly served historically by the professional organisations that are in place to protect the profession; infact, if it wasnt for the supportive actions and foresight of the Trade Unions, the latest cuts could have been the final nail in the careers coffin.
So, what does the future landscape for careers look like? If you are a student or mature person looking for quality advice it comes down to postcode lottery or your own social capital. If you are a Careers Adviser, then you are one of the lucky few to still be in post; the private sector offers you potentially a future, all be it a different role in a modern market place where you will need to be flexible and adaptive.
So much for Big Society - for Careers, particularly in school, HT's will be spending much more time trying to evaluate the offerings from a myriad of potential new CEIAG suppliers - with many being shallow offerings that are weak replacements and could be argued sub standard going forward for young people.
There has been some recent and lively debate about 'techno natives' recently ( see @timbuckteeth on Twitter ) - but whether you agree that the 'young' are indeed this new techno savvy breed, or not, we may all have to agree that, when it comes to CEIAG, their technical knowledge may end up being their own salvation.
So, I predict that membership numbers of organisations such as the Institute of Career Guidance will fall substantially during this period of a new AACS - having failed to influence Government sufficiently to safeguard its members' futures, those that are left when the dust settles (and they will be fewer in number), may well look toward other futures - and with Library cuts equally violent, options are looking thin on the ground.
We will miss the Connexions organisation dearly - and only time will now tell if the private sector will fill that gaping void.
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