6272posts
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Watch Episode 1: Land Management Plans and the Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot
In the Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot, we provided farmers with 3 different land management plan templates. In this video, find out how participants Liz and Bryan, used land management planning to prepare their farm business for the future.
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Consultations launched on bathing water status for Isle of Wight and Oxford sites
Today’s blog looks at coverage of consultations launched to seek views on two new proposed bathing waters.
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Why libraries are so keen on apprenticeships and the Kickstart scheme.
To mark National Apprentice Week, Isobel Hunter, CEO of Libraries Connected writes about how important apprentices are to libraries.
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Reflecting on early help
Yvette Stanley, Ofsted’s National Director for Regulation and Social Care, discusses findings from a recently published report by Research in Practice, commissioned by Ofsted. The term ‘early help’ is used to describe different kinds of activities, from support for parents …
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Putting international trade remedies to the test
Authorities around the world use different approaches to decide whether to put in place trade remedy measures. This blog post explains each of the 5 considerations in the UK’s approach and compares them with the practices of some other selected countries that conduct similar tests.
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How we put our users at the heart of our vision
At the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) one of our core roles is to award funding to organisations who do the detailed delivery work to achieve policy objectives. For example, the Towns fund delivers £3.6 billion to …
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The Institute talks...about becoming a paramedic apprentice
You can subscribe to The Institute talks podcast on Amazon Music, Apple podcast, Spotify and all other major podcast platforms. You can read transcripts for this podcast episode on Podbean. In this episode of The Institute talks, we talk about the invaluable experience gained through …
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Recently launched Starlink satellites hit by geomagnetic storm
On Friday 4 February 2022, a geomagnetic storm impacted recently launched Starlink satellites.
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My Coding Journey
Prior to embarking on my apprenticeship journey, I was working in the Fire and Security sector. The sector was good, but I was looking for a more challenging role, a role that will push me outside my comfort zone as …
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My apprenticeship helped me find what I want to do for the rest of my life
Saskia is a level 3 advanced engineering apprentice and a new member of the Institute’s apprentice panel, whose role is to ensure that the views of apprentices are represented across the work and governance of the Institute. Read on to …
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Natural England outlines new guidance for land managers under the Countryside Code
Today we are looking at media coverage of Natural England’s update to the Countryside Code for land managers.
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Apprenticeship Week: learning from others in the workplace
Sarah Clarke says the atmosphere and the people are among the reason she enjoys working at Nuclear Waste Services.
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Apprenticeship Week: don't be afraid to take the leap
Dawson Tanner feels valued as an apprentice and has enjoyed the opportunities to progress his career further
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Apprenticeship Week: it can only help improve your future
The atmosphere within Nuclear Waste Services was so welcoming, writes apprentice Lewis Gribbin
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Celebrating a year of Digital Voices at DVLA
This year is the first anniversary of Digital Voices at DVLA. Lucy Whitaker, Digital Attraction and Engagement Manager, reflects on the group’s achievements and future plans.
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Supporting students with anxiety about transitioning from secondary school to college
College leaders Rebecca and Kimberley talk us through the activities and support they put in place over summer to support students transitioning to further education, which resulted in strong attendance rates throughout the autumn term.
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National Apprenticeship Week 2022: James's story
James joined the Insolvency Service as an apprentice, and is now a Support Officer in our Investigation and Enforcement service. Read James's blog as he charts his move from apprentices to assisting in the investigation of a company director.
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How we improved translations on GOV.UK
We’ve been working to improve translations on GOV.UK to make sure they’re as accessible as possible to our millions of users in the UK and abroad. Here’s how we made technical fixes to make translations better.
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Countryside Stewardship Scheme Now Open For Applications
Countryside Stewardship applications will open on 8 February 2022. To make sure you have everything you need to make your application we have put together some useful information. You can read our Countryside Stewardship: How To Apply guide on GOV.UK …
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Develop your career - National Apprenticeship Week 7th to 11th February 2022
There are many routes to developing in the Civil Service and an apprenticeship is one of the most rewarding experiences to complete – they can, quite literally, turn someone’s life around. Apprentices themselves gain new skills while working, a …
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Regulator’s experience of clinical trials during the Covid-19 pandemic (Part 1) – our initial response
The Covid-19 pandemic has been a challenging time for all of us and in this three-part blog series, we reflect on what we have learnt and how we move forward to implement those learnings for the benefit of the UK …
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“Apprenticeships give people a chance to learn, earn and achieve”: The Skills Minister’s message to students and parents
Skills Minister Alex Burghart has written to students, parents and guardians to encourage them to explore the benefits apprenticeships have to offer. In the letters, which are published here, Minister Burghart sets out some of the ways in which apprenticeships …
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What we are doing to improve the mental health of children and young people
The ongoing impact of the pandemic has emphasised the importance of supporting our children and young people’s wellbeing. That’s why, during Children’s Mental Health Week, we have released the findings our State of the Nation report, which focuses on trends …
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Being part of developing apprenticeships
Lesley-Anne Alexander is Vice Chair of the Institute’s care services route panel and former CEO of the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). While at RNIB, Lesley-Anne was instrumental in uniting the fragmented sight loss sector through the development …
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From beehive to jar, the complexities of honey authenticity
Last year, we talked about the complex nature of honey authenticity. In this follow up post, Rick Mumford, Head of the Science, Evidence and Research directorate comments on the recent review of the methods used to test honey authenticity.
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WWF report on supporting farmers in green transition
Today’s coverage looks at Defra’s response to a new WWF report, calling on the government to deliver decarbonisation strategies to help farmers shifting towards nature-friendly approaches to tackling climate change.
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Helping you to revise, and build your confidence ahead of exams and assessments
Students have been truly impressive in recent months. You continue to blow me away with your dedication to carry on learning, despite whatever curve balls the pandemic throws your way, and the resulting disruption to your education. I know that …
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Does a higher minimum wage affect hiring behaviour?
Every year, we commission researchers to look into the impact that the minimum wage has had on firms and workers, and their findings form a key part of our evidence base. There has been little evidence of any negative impact …
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New South West Apprentice Network
Are you a current or past Civil Service apprentice? Are you involved with apprentices in your department as a manager, coach or any other role? Or are you generally interested in supporting apprentices in your department and beyond? We need you to get involved in building up our new South West Apprenticeship Network and taking it forward.
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NHSE/I National Genomic Test Directory beta assessment
Read the beta assessment report for the National Genomic Test Directory” from NHS England and NHS Improvement.
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UK's quest to be a global science superpower
Science and technology are, perhaps more than ever, transforming people’s lives writes Sir Patrick Vallance. In order to thrive in an increasingly competitive world, countries must apply science and technology strategically and embed it in their policy- and decision-making. The …
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Giving people in prison access to their financial transactions
Since February this year, the Content Hub team has been working feverishly to give people in prison improved access to their personal information, and now it's alive and kicking, we want to tell you about it. If you haven't heard …
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Satellites, bananas, and ethics: Partnerships to tackle food insecurity
It's not every day I attend a workshop where satellites, bananas, livestock, and ethics are central to the conversation.
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Government responds to the Better Regulation Framework consultation
Stephen Gibson offers some initial thoughts on the Government's announcements on 31 January of its conclusions following last year's consultation on the future of the Better Regulation Framework
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The importance of the QAS accreditation for GAD
GAD is proud to be accredited by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries' Quality Assurance Scheme. Our latest annual return shows we've been continuously improving; working to uphold the standards needed to complete high-quality actuarial work.
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National Apprenticeship Week 2022: reflecting on my experiences as a DIO apprentice
As National Apprenticeship Week gets underway, I’d like to offer some reflections on my apprenticeship journey within the DIO corporate communications team, as well as picking out a few personal highlights from my time as an apprentice in DIO. Why …
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We’re Levelling Up Careers in the Civil Service
Following the newly-launched Levelling Up White Paper, Alex Chisholm explores how moving thousands of Civil Service roles and creating more opportunity around the country will help us to build A Modern Civil Service. Last week the Government launched the much …
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How we are helping students prepare for exams this summer
Exams will go ahead this summer as the best and fairest form of assessment. However, we recognise students have faced disruption over the last two years and we have put in place measures to support them. We have introduced a …
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Delivering Climate Adaptation and Resilience: The Role of Measurement
Hear from NPL experts and sector stakeholders about how metrology supports climate action. The climate is changing and will continue to change even as we reduce emissions, in some instances with devastating effects. To limit the most damaging impacts of …
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Tinnitus: From banging tunes to burglar alarms
Alan Dillon, Head of Chancery from the British Embassy Muscat, on his experience of living with the hearing condition, tinnitus. ‘Buzzing, whooshing, humming, ringing, throbbing, hissing, music, singing.’ Dr Seuss could have hardly described it better had he rewritten his …