UK education standards fall

New research released by e-learning and advanced content solutions provider, IMC (UK) Learning, shows that over half (54%) of business leaders and HR professionals agree that the standard of education in the UK has deteriorated in the last five to ten years, reports Response Source.com

In addition, 77% believe a lack of basic skills amongst school leavers and new graduates will contribute to a significant fall in the country's competitiveness.

Gareth Walters, sales and marketing director at IMC (UK) Learning Ltd, says: “Skills such as literacy, numeracy and IT can be learned through flexible training options with minimal time out of the office. A blended learning approach using a mixture of classroom-based training, eLearning and informal learning can help to bridge the skills gap for school leavers and new graduates.”

The Institute of Clinical Research (ICR) has further strengthened its commitment to developing professionals within the industry by enhancing its e-learning education programme, says Medical News Today.

The programme now features 10 eLearning modules, all upgraded to include Flash technology offering interactive education courses for clinical research professionals. Each course is available through the ICR website allowing individuals to study at a convenient pace and around their work commitments.

Sue Fitzpatrick, education manager at the ICR, says: "We have extended our eLearning programme to incorporate more areas of clinical research and to help our members further their careers.”

Matrix Plus has signed a deal with Gatlin International, a global e-learning provider to governments, corporations and universities, to unveil new online career training courses, says Market Wire.

The certificate courses are open enrolment and cover healthcare and fitness, business and professional, IT and software development, management and corporate, media and design, skilled trades and industrial as well as hospitality and gaming.

"The dramatic growth in Internet access around the world has secured e-learning as a viable tool in education," says Gillian Duncan, managing director of Gatlin International, "Now Matrix Plus students can advance their skills and obtain career certificates through the convenience of working from their personal computer and at their own pace."