Train to Gain Training, funding and your staff Raymond Kinsella London Brokerage Consortium 20 January 2009

2 The word we live in Banks crumbling Pensions failing Property prices plummeting Established businesses going under Purse strings tightening Therefore  Not a time to spend money on training?  Training is a non-essential cost and must be cut?  Got to batten down the hatches and re-surface when the economy recovers

3 No Train No Gain! Training is an investment not purely a cost Training can provide a competitive advantage If cost is a barrier there is support If time is a barrier there is support If identifying what you want is a barrier there is support If sourcing training is a barrier there is support If confusion is a barrier there is support If trust is a barrier there is support By 2010/2011 £1 billion of support for skills through Train to Gain Particular focus on Small and Medium sized employers

4 INTRODUCTION WHAT IS TRAIN TO GAIN? The Train to Gain service consists of two principle elements: Free Skills Brokerage Service that includes:  Training needs analysis for your organisation  Identification of provision to meet training needs  Brokerage to appropriate training providers  Brokerage to other business support agencies  Impartial and acting solely on behalf of the employer Funded Training  Free L2 qualifications  Free Maths and English qualifications  Part funded L3 qualifications (and in some instances free)  Wage compensation for the under 50s

5 What qualifications are funded? A flavour of what’s on offer Catering and Hospitality Food Processing Food and Drink Services Front Office Housekeeping Customer Service Administration IT 100s of qualifications are funded!

6 INTRODUCTION More Train to Gain Train to Gain Skills Brokers can find training for whatever your need is: £1000 towards Leadership and Management training Apprenticeships Health and Safety and other statutory training Short courses/training Funded and non-funded training

7 INTRODUCTION WHO IS ELIGIBILE? Available to organisations of all sizes nationwide apart from Central Government public, private and voluntary sectors all eligible Particularly targeted at small and medium sized enterprises

8 ROLE OF THE SKILLS BROKER KEY FEATURES OF SKILLS BROKERAGE Analysis and recommendation of skills training solutions Access to relevant and flexible, high quality training that can be delivered in the workplace Information and support to access a wide range of training packages including higher level qualifications and non- qualification based training Referral to other support organisations for assistance with challenges outside of skills-related issues

9 Leadership and Management £1000 training & development grant £500 free with an additional £500 if match funded For owners, CEOs or key directors Employing between 5 and 249 people (including part-time and volunteer staff) Accredited or non-accredited training Help to analyse your training needs and identify provision Funding available for a further 2 years

10 Skills Pledge Voluntary and public commitment to support the development of skills of your staff Primary focus on skills to Level 2 but can be extended to higher level skills too Not contractually or legally binding – just common sense Acknowledgement that your employees, your organisation and the Government need to invest more in skills Through the LSC, the Government are fulfilling their part of the bargain – how about you meeting them half-way?

11 SUMMARY KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER Brokers’ ability to engage and support employers is crucial to the success of Train to Gain Train to Gain driven by demand from employers – brokers need to act 100% in the interest of the employer Available to organisations of all sizes and in all sectors Particular focus on SMEs Skills Brokers will source training at all levels Advice will be impartial, independent and comprehensive The service is provided completely free of charge What do you have to lose?

12 Interested? me Call me

Thank-you for listening