Exciting times ahead

Following the success of our Word and Excel 2007 training, and in response to your request, we are offering Access 2007 training - with a difference! The training will be delivered in two short sessions via the new web-conferencing tool - Net Viewer - enabling you to take advantage without leaving the College. As with previous sessions it will be tailored to cover the functions and topics of the HN database units.


The training is FREE and you will be able to join the sessions from your desk with a PC and internet access. It is great opportunity to upskill without travelling, arranging class cover and will save one ofr our most valuable resources - time. See you on-line!

The NQGA development project is now in it's second phase. Many Colleges have in the past designed local programmes to fit local needs - sometimes simply by grouping together clusters of units. By making some revision to existing local programmes, or desiging a new non advanced award where there is a gap in current provision and an identified need, it can be possible to develop these into NCs or NPAs at SCQF Levels 2 - 6 which will benefit from national recognition. Funding is now available to support colleges with this. Contact Elda.Fleck@sqa.org.uk for further information.

Remember to also check out the new resources and bulletins on Practitioners Plus!

Back in the saddle

Now that are all firmly ensconced in the new academic year - welcome back. The subject networks have some new faces this year but all working towards the same remit. So here's some of the latest news for our area -

Law Week at Central College, Glasgow - Central College Glasgow is launching the Centre for Scottish Paralegal Education from Tuesday 29 September to Thursday 1 October.

CfA Business and Administration Handbooks are available now at 30% off from the CfA online shop.

FREE Curriculum for Exellence Seminar at Our Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh on 3 December.

COLEG repository has been upgraded to the latest release of intraLibrary, version 3.1. COLEG can provide training on the use of the repository at either group or individual level at your College or at Scotland's Colleges. Contact Jackie Graham at COLEG for more information.

The first mentor's meeting included a trial of Netviewer with which we were all very impressed. Watch this space for more information Netviewer (http://www.netviewer.com/) makes it easier to collaborate over the net and help you work more effectively with all your contacts and includes facilities for -

1. Meetings using voice, chat, video and document sharing

2. Demos of an application with opportunity to interact

3. Demos of traditional materials

We are now planning this year's objectives and activities and as ever welcome your input and suggestions.

Summertime

The anxious end of term rush for students and staff is over and we can all look forward to a well deserved rest.

This month we had a very successful trial of the Aegon Busines Simulation Game at Perth College when eight Colleges were represented. Everyone was very enthusiastic and enjoyed the session which was presented by Tony Corrigan of Aegon.

There are opportunities for 'twinning' where practitioners can exchange colleges for a short period of time. This is a chance to share in each others good practice, problems and solutions and to network in your own subject area. There is funding available so if anyone is interested please get in touch.

The revised 2009 Level 3 Business & Administration Modern Apprenticeship framework was approved by the Modern Apprenticeship Group (MAG) during the spring of 2009. From 1st August 2009, the revised 2009 BAMA 3 framework will be implemented throughout Scotland.

The mentors' are looking forward to their end of term night out in Glasgow tonight - hence the reason I am posting this today.

Have a wonderful summer and as ever keep the emails and news coming.

Penultimate post?

We are promoting the idea of 'twinning' where practitioners can exchange colleges for a short period of time. This is a chance to share in each others good practice, problems and solutions and to network in your own subject area. There is funding available so if anyone would like to take advantage of this opportunity please get in touch as soon as possible.

I am having a meeting with Karen Adams, Education Projects Manager of NHS Education for Scotland regarding how we might be involved in the '18 Weeks Referral to Treatment' initiative. They have finalised the core skills map for administrative staff and are keen to involve and consult with Scotlands Colleges.

The Excel 2007 training took place last week and was another great success. All places were filled and there were cries of 'when is the Access and Powerpoint'.

We had another lively and informative subject networks meeting at Anniesland College last week where we were involved in a focus group for the e-assessment Steering Group. As well as having updates of our progress and getting the latest news for our sectors we also discussed another important event - the mentors' end of year night out!

On a sadder note the College are not allowing me to continue as Subject Mentor next year so this may well be my penultimate post. In the meantime I'll continue to keep you up-to-date and help where I can. Keep the emails coming.

Breaking news

The Excel 2007 training has arrived! As requested by you there will be a workshop in Excel 2007 from 09.30 - 12.30 on Thursday 14 May 2009 at Stevenson College Edinburgh. The training will be tailored for the Spreadsheet units within the HN Administration and Information Technology with notes to take away. Places are limited so book online at http://www.sfeu.ac.uk/events/show/3092.

I reported in my last post that Aegon Insurance have produced a Business game as part of an event to commemorate 125 years of the Glasgow Institute of Insurance and Actuarial Services. The game (and mentors to deliver) is free to all all colleges who participate. A group of practitioners from Telford and Stevenson Colleges have now trialled and evaluated the game and agree it is be suitable for HNC/D students. Feedback and suggestions from the trial will be forwarded to Aegon and anyone else interested in taking part in the evaluation process please let me know.

We are looking at new initiatives for next year and one that is emerging is a scheme for Lecturer-Industry Exchange. At the moment it is being promoted within the Automotive subject area but it is hoped that it may be rolled out to other disciplines. So again - watch this space!

I am involved in a scoping exercise and consultation process for the review of NHS Scotland Administrative Services which will have implications for those involved in Medical Administration.

The latest news/developments in Business and Administration is regularly updated on Practitioners Plus so don't miss out.

Spring?

Well its' supposed to be!

The Council for Administration consultation meeting for the new Level 2 Business and Administration Modern Apprenticeships was well attended by stakeholders from employers, training partnerships and Colleges. Check their website www.cfa.uk.com
for the latest updates.

Following on from the success of our Word 2007 and your request for further training in Excel I am in the process of organising this for early May - watch this space for date and vanue.

Aegon Insurance have produced a Business game as part of an event to commemorate 125 years of the Glasgow Institute of Insurance and Actuarial Services. The game (and mentors to deliver) will be free to all all colleges who participate. It can be used as part of the induction process for Business Studies students as well as curriculum delivery so could prove to be a valuable resource. Further news on this development will be posted on Practitioners Plus.

Bye for now.

What's new this month?

This month we held another successful Word 2007 training workshop at Stevenson College Edinburgh with 13 attendees, much networking and sharing ideas.

The CfA begins its development of a Level 2 Business & Administration Modern Apprenticeship (BAMA) framework for Scotland. The CfA is consulting with Scottish employers, learning providers and key stakeholders to determine the essential components of a Level 2 BAMA framework. They look forward to receiving your comments and thank you in advance for supporting the design and development of the new Level 2BAMA framework.

There are two Level 2 BAMA Workshops taking place -

Glasgow - Wednesday 18th February 1pm to 4pm
Edinburgh - Thursday 19th February 10am to 1pm

Current Level 3 BAMA centres, employers and other key stakeholders are invited to the workshops to discuss framework content, access arrangements and progression opportunities for new Level 2 BAMA framework. For further information about the consultation or if you have any questions, please contact Uta Sempf on 020 7091 9634.

Communicating and keeping others communicating is an imnportant part of the mentor's role and is ongoing so keep it coming.

Welcome back

The Word 2007 workshop at Reid Kerr College in December was a great success. As always there was the bonus of informal networking when ideas were swopped and email addresses exchanged.

Following the success of this workshop and in response to feedback an identical event is being held at Stevenson College Edinburgh on Thursday 05 February from 9.30 until 12.30. You can book online at http://www.sfeu.ac.uk/events/show/2938. This is an opportunity to update your skills for the latest software so sign up NOW as places are limited.

I've been invited to join a small working group of key stakeholders to assist in putting together an action plan for the CfA in Scotland for 2009 so will keep you posted on progress.

I've also been keeping in touch with people, putting people in touch with each other and answering queries so please keep the communications coming.