30 May 2007

hr & legal

DTI Consultation on resolving disputes in the workplace

In December 2006, the DTI commissioned Michael Gibbons, a member of the Better Regulation Commission, to conduct an independent review of employment dispute resolution with particular regard to how the Dispute Resolution Regulations, introduced in 2004, were working. Michael Gibbons completed his review in a record three months. His headline recommendation is the repeal of the statutory dispute resolution procedures.

Case Law Update – Irish case on Age Discrimination during the recruitment process

The Director of the Equality Tribunal in the Republic of Ireland has published a decision on age discrimination which, though not legally binding in the UK , is still likely to influence employment tribunals here.

John Monks Re-Elected as the General Secretary of the ETUC

John Monks has been re-elected as the General Secretary of the ETUC until May 2011.

Members’ views sought on administration of Additional Paternity Leave

The government has published a consultation paper about the administration of the Additional Paternity Leave (APL) scheme. Members can input into this consultation process and have their say.

health & safety

Courses flyer

June – September 2007

Are you paying too much for HSE guidance?

An annual cost of just £350 gets you 24/7 access to in-depth support. EEF members can subscribe at a discounted rate of £250.

Subscription to our HSE Guide offers:

a continually updated online guide with access for up to three users
a set of comprehensive handbooks for support at your fingertips
a complete guide to HSE law for your workplace
a full suite of model documents

Try before you buy
Take a tour of our guide then register for a free, no-strings 21-day trial

Control of Noise at Work

A half-day short course to be held on Tuesday 26 June 2007.

Does your organisation have a noise problem? The new Regulations which came out on 6 April 2006 require your business to prevent or reduce risks to health and safety from exposure to noise at work.

Principles of Manual Handling CIEH Level 1 – Accredited Course

A one-day course to be held on Wednesday 27 June 2007.

This qualification introduces candidates to the hazards and risks involved in manual handling and outlines what to expect from a manual handling assessment. It will enable employees to develop safer manual handling techniques in the workplace.

Display Screen Equipment (DSE)

A one-day practical workshop to be held on Thursday 28 June 2007.

This workshop will enable delegates to gain the knowledge, understanding and skills to be able to implement and carry out a DSE risk assessment programme within their own organisation.

environmental services

What the energy White Paper 2007 could mean for your business

The government has published its energy White Paper which sets out a range of policy measures dealing with both security of supply and the need to put the UK on the path to a low-carbon economy. This page is a summary of the key policy announcements relating to manufacturing.

Company directors exposed to greater environmental liabilities

The Companies Act 2006 will introduce new duties on directors to disclose to shareholders any environmental liabilities the business may have.

education & skills

Bill Nicholls appointed to skills board

Bill Nicholls, Director of Education & Training Development at EEF West Midlands, has been appointed as the business sector’s alternate member on the Regional Skills Partnership Board (RSP).

Advertise your apprenticeship vacancies for 2007 on our Engineering Connections Apprenticeship website FREE of charge.

EEF West Midlands is pleased to offer all companies the opportunity to take advantage of our FREE Apprentice Recruitment Service. This includes an entry on our redesigned Engineering Connections Website www.apprentices.co.uk.

New entitlement for people under 25 to free training up to A level or equivalent

From August 2007, people aged 19 to 25 will be entitled to free training for their first full Level 3 qualification.

policy & representation

Improving performance – A review of Regional Development Agencies – May 2007

England ’s nine regional development agencies (RDAs) have performed a central role in the delivery of the government’s economic policy since their establishment in 1999. In this report we present a considered view from a business perspective on the operation of the RDAs and how they contribute to the economic performance of the regions.

Weekly policy briefing

EEF's weekly developments in policy & representation

training

Train to Gain

Click here for details of the National Train to Gain initiative offered through the EEF Technology Centre. Both NVQ 2 and NVQ 3 are now funded.

For further information please contact Jeff Matthews, Business Development Manager or Peter Winebloom, General Manager on 0121 707 1414.

Breakfast Meetings – EEF West Midlands Technology Centre

The EEF Technology Centre will be holding breakfast meetings to inform interested parties about:

Apprenticeships 2007/2008
The New Technology Centre Traineeship
Train to Gain Initiatives – Levels 2 & 3
Short Course Programmes.

other

Solving the New Product Development Conundrum

For many companies undertaking a new product development programme, there is a real problem in managing the project, and in particular assessing whether the commercial/technical case still stacks up.

Diploma in manufacturing and product design – employer consultation events

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) is holding four regional events to consult on sector specific content that has been developed to date for the Phase 2 Diploma lines of learning. One of the key purposes of this event is to demonstrate how the diploma meets the skills and capabilities needs of employers.