Responses by the Secretary of State for Education to the Education Select Committee

Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Education, appeared before the Education Select Committee on 18 December 2013, to answer questions from Committee members related to various aspects of education policy, including careers guidance. It was the first time his views on careers guidance have been expressed in the public domain. This analysis of his comments is based on the uncorrected transcript2, which the Secretary of State will have an opportunity to correct. The transcript is therefore not yet an approved formal record of the proceedings

Recent developments on the roles of employers and of careers professionals: a pivotal phase in determining future careers provision for young people.

This policy commentary reviews key statements and reports issued in February and the beginning of March 2014, including; Statements by Lord Nash (Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Schools) on the Government’s intentions with regard to the forthcoming revised Statutory Guidance for Schools; A speech by Nick Clegg (Deputy Prime Minister) in which he commented on careers guidance in schools; A progress report issued by the National Careers Council; and A Briefing Note issued by the Careers Sector Stakeholders Alliance.Careers Englan

Gravity, geoid and the oceanic lithosphere

Plate tectonics and its contribution to progress in studies of the Earth's gravitational field is discussed. In acquisition, the development of forced feedback accelerometers, satellite navigation, and satellite radar altimetry significantly improved the accuracy and coverage of gravity data over the oceans. In interpretation, gravity and geoid anomalies are used to determine information on the thermal and mechanical properties of the oceanic lithosphere and the forces that drive plate motions

WTS-4 system verification unit for wind/hydroelectric integration study

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) initiated a study to investigate the concept of integrating 100 MW of wind energy from megawatt-size wind turbines with the Federal hydroelectric system. As a part of the study, one large wind turbine was purchased through the competitive bid process and is now being installed to serve as a system verification unit (SVU). Reclamation negotiated an agreement with NASA to provide technical management of the project for the design, fabrication, installation, testing, and initial operation. Hamilton Standard was awarded a contract to furnish and install its WTS-4 wind turbine rated at 4 MW at a site near Medicine Bow, Wyoming. The purposes for installing the SVU are to fully evaluate the wind/hydro integration concept, make technical evaluation of the hardware design, train personnel in the technology, evaluate operation and maintenance aspects, and evaluate associated environmental impacts. The SVU will be operational in June 1982. Data from the WTS-4 and from a second SVU, Boeing's MOD-2, will be used to prepare a final design for a 100-MW farm if Congress authorizes the project

Careers work with young people: collapse or transition? An analysis of current developments in careers education and guidance for young people in England

This paper analyses the current information available (in July 2011) about the changes that are taking place in careers work following recent government policy initiatives and public-sector austerity measures. In particular, it examines the local developments that have emerged in relation to a national policy context in which: • Existing careers work is being radically reconfigured. • The new National Careers Service (NCS) will principally serve adults (apart from its telephone/web-based services, which will cover young people too). • Securing careers guidance for young people has been made the responsibility of schools. • The requirement for schools to provide careers education has been removed. • There has been very limited transition planning at national level: this has led to considerable local confusion. • In particular, there is continuing confusion about the future relationship of remaining face-to-face Connexions services to the NCS, and about the branding of such services. Implications for Connexions services, Local Authorities, schools, new market players and the careers profession are identified