15 August 2023

New Changes for Level 2 and 3 post-16 Qualifications 

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) has introduced reforms for Level 2 and 3 qualifications. They have outlined specific job roles and associated tasks for the Level 3 specialised category. 

You can find more information by clicking HERE. 

Some of the specialised areas are: 

  • Electrolysis
  • Therapeutic massage
  • International cuisine

Caroline Larissey, Director of Quality and Standards at the NHBF said, “It is hugely important that within the hair and beauty sector that there are specialist pathways to ensure that learners have the opportunity and progression routes to work within the breadth of our sector”. 

If you have worked in the Hair and Beauty or Catering and Hospitality industries, IfATE is interested in your views on post-16 qualifications. Share your thoughts through this survey by clicking HERE. 

The survey will close on August 28 2023. For any survey-related queries, please email Ifate.POST16@education.gov.uk. 

Dedicated Energy Advice for Small Businesses 

The Government's Powering Up Britain initiative announces the development of a dedicated energy advice service for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, in collaboration with Softwire's design research team, aims to understand how SMEs view their energy usage (electricity, gas, fuels). 

To achieve this, the Department seeks a diverse range of businesses for short testing sessions. Your participation will shape government policy and ensure the new service meets business needs. Additionally, participating SMEs will receive a £50 Giftpay voucher. 

Here are the details:

Location: Remote sessions via computer or smartphone using video conferencing software (Microsoft Teams or similar)

Time: 45-60 minute slots scheduled from August 21st to mid-September, between 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

What to expect: A Softwire researcher will guide you through the session, and your feedback will remain confidential. Your input will help design a helpful energy support service. Afterward, you'll receive the £50 Giftpay voucher.

To sign up or learn more, contact ee-engagement@beis.gov.uk. 

Nominate for Women's Enterprise Scotland Awards 2023 

The Women’s Enterprise Scotland Awards 2023 recognise and celebrate the achievements of women-led businesses in Scotland. Applications close on August 18, 2023, at midnight. If you own or know of a woman-led business that has achieved remarkable success, make sure to apply or nominate before the deadline. 

Find out more about the awards. 

Assistance for Businesses to Save Money and Reduce Emissions 

British businesses now have access to a comprehensive support hub to lower energy costs and carbon emissions. Launched on August 14, 2023, the UK Business Climate Hub offers a free carbon calculator and tools for measuring, tracking, and reporting emissions. Businesses can also get advice on energy-efficient practices, such as sourcing from green suppliers and adopting sustainable transportation and energy solutions like solar panels and electric vehicle charging. 

Research highlights substantial savings from these measures: 

  • Switching to electric vehicles can cut running, servicing, and maintenance costs by around 40% compared to traditional cars.
  • Transitioning to LED lighting can reduce electricity bills by up to 40%.
  • Providing fuel efficiency training to drivers can save companies about 15% on fuel use and carbon emissions.

 

Read the complete press release here. 

Rise in Hair & Beauty Start-ups 

Recent research by ripe Insurance reveals a notable increase of 11% in newly established hair and beauty businesses over the past year. The analysis also identifies Hayes (Greater London) as the leading town or city in the UK for hair and beauty business start-ups, with over two new company registrations per 1,000 residents.

Learn more from the details provided here. 

Campaigning for you – in Scotland 

The NHBF recently wrote to the Minister in the Scottish Government responsible for the retail sector, attaching the results from the most recent quarterly State of the Industry survey with our recommendations for the UK and Scottish Governments. 

Joe FitzPatrick MSP, Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning responded this week and:

  • Agreed with our concerns around cutbacks to support with energy bills and pointed out that they have met their counterparts in the UK Government to discuss.
  • Commented that VAT powers are reserved for the UK Government but that ‘all tax levers, including VAT, should be considered to help our national and local economies’.
  • Underlined that around ‘half of properties in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors in Scotland will pay no [non-domestic] rates this year’; they have frozen the poundage in 2023/24, reformed the Small Business Bonus Scheme and introduced Small Business Transitional Relief.

We are pursuing follow up conversations with Skills Development Scotland (SDS) about enabling more apprenticeships in Scotland.