Friday 28 May 2010

Possible funding for a business academy for NHS management roles

The HSJ reported this month that Monitor had been in discussion with foundation trusts over funding for business academies to train clinicians for senior NHS management roles.


http://www.hsj.co.uk/news/workforce/monitor-discusses-clinician-business-academy/5014205.article?referrer=RSS

Sunday 23 May 2010

Distance Learning

As a new University term begins, thousands of individuals around the world will be signing up for their distance learning courses. The question is, just how effective is long distance learning?

Reports from the BBC have highlighted some of the downfalls to learning in this way; expense, support, quality of course material and inevitably high drop-out rates. Distance learning means that students have to find their own motivation to attend on-line seminars, to participate in remote workshops or discussion threads, to carry out reading and research and to get those essays submitted on time. Balancing this requirement for self motivation with daily working life can prove too much for many.

Yet, personal experience and that of others who have contributed to this debate show that, for many, distance learning is the only practical way to undertake study, particularly later in life.

Let us know what you think. What are your experiences?

The Secret Life of Bees


A number of new book reviews have been added to the Words Worth Reading Forum of late and similarly we have been discussing the books we are currently reading on the Words Worth Reading Facebook page. The Secret Life of Bees has generated some discussion. To follow this go to http://www.facebook.com/ and join the Words Worth Reading group!

Wednesday 12 May 2010

Cinnamon Press call for submissions to an anthology of poetry and prose sequences

Cinnamon Press competitions offer writers in different genres excellent publication opportunities. They run a bi-annual competition in which the first prize for each strand is publication of your work. The closing dates this year are June 30th and November 30th.

The competition has three strands:

The poetry collection award aims to provide a platform for new voices in poetry. The winner will have their collection published by Cinnamon Press and also receive a cash prize of £100.

The short story award is for stories between 2,000 and 4,000 words. The winner will receive a cash prize of £100 and will have their collection published by Cinnamon Press.

The aim of the novel award is to encourage new authors, enabling debut novelists/novella writers to achieve a first publication in this genre. The winner wish receive £400 and have their novel published by Cinnamon press.

For more information visit: http://www.cinnamonpress.com/competitions.htm

Sunday 9 May 2010

Win a VIP Weekend to the Hay Festival!

Words Worth Reading will be attending the Hay Festival, why not join us there?

If you would like to see us there , the Guardian are having a prize draw for VIP tickets!

Just follow the link below!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/competition/2010/apr/09/hay-festival-competition

Don't Judge a Book by it's Cover...

especially in France!
Tom Lamont asks designers to explain why books are routinely given different covers abroad.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2010/may/09/judge-book-by-cover

How English erased its roots to become the global tongue of the 21st century

'Throw away your dictionaries!' is the battle cry as a simplified hybrid of English conquers cultures and continents. In this extract from his new book, Globish, Robert McCrum tells the story of a linguistic phenomenon...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/may/09/globish-english-language-robert-mccrum

Students: Wonder Teacher Jailed over Bogus Courses

A teacher has been jailed for conning overseas students into enrolling in fake courses with fake qualifications!
She was also found guilty of offering immigration services that she was unqualified to do.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8655349.stm

Students: Colleges Across the North East Hold Lunchtime Protests

One day strike at universities and colleges: Wednesday 5th May 2010

Protests have taken place outside colleges in support of Lecturers over education cuts. How might students be affected? Is access to education going to disappear?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8661989.stm

Thousands of students preparing for exams have been disrupted by a walk-out by lecturers over funding cuts.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/10096888.stm

Students: Get Writing and Keep Updating Your CV!

The first thing you need to do when looking for a job is to create or update your CV. This article from the BBC website intended for students approaching the end of their course has some helpful advice on where to start.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/raiseyourgame/sites/concentration/getyourkiton/pages/cv_writing.shtml

In addition to this, the BBC also have produced an article for students on 'What makes a good CV?' With examples of a good and poor CV, with helpful tips and suggestions.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/raiseyourgame/sites/concentration/getyourkiton/pages/goodbad_cv.shtml

No Need to Lie on Your CV

An NHS worker was jailed for lying on her CV. But there's no need to lie on your CV when applying for jobs. The key to success is accentuating your real skills and abilities.
This article from the Guardian Website gives you some helpful tips and hints to create a fantastic CV without having to fib!
http://careers.guardian.co.uk/careers-blog/no-need-to-lie-on-your-cv-steve-szita

Monday 3 May 2010

What an Employer Wants from a Covering Letter

With today's job market being so competitive it is important that you make the best first impression. So, what is it that your potential employer wants from your covering letter? This article gives details on the information required, how to grab the employer's attention and even gives you example letters as a guide.


http://careers.guardian.co.uk/careers-blog/what-an-employer-wants-from-your-covering-letter-steve-szita

Dealing with Diverse History on Your CV

If you're having difficulty addressing the problem of writing a CV when your career has been bitty with jobs from different sectors, then this article from the Guardian website offers helpful advice to get you on your way.
With tips including how to tailor your CV to the job, focus on the wider themes of your career history and reorganise your career history, it's definitely worth a look.

http://careers.guardian.co.uk/careers-blog/dealing-with-a-diverse-work-history-on-your-cv-clare-whitmell