14 September 2006

More than 22,000 individuals and 6,000 employers have already been helped by the Government’s new £1 billion national training programme in the build up to full national roll out of the scheme across England this month.

Evidence shows Train to Gain will help 50,000 employers and 350,000 employees every year get the skills they need to boost productivity and competitiveness and improve life chances for low-skilled employees.

The service managed and delivered by the Learning and Skills Council puts employers in the driving seat by giving them access to a free Skills Broker service, offering independent and practical advice to match training needs with training providers.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, and Secretary of State for Education and Skills, Alan Johnson, visited Hardy Group Printing, London today to see first hand the difference Train to Gain can make in the workplace.

The Bermondsey-based company employs six people and manages the production of a wide range of company magazines on behalf of large businesses. The company says the free training and advice offered by Train to Gain’s skills broker is vital in helping them to compete in a highly competitive market.

Alan Johnson said:

“Train to Gain puts employers at the heart of the drive to close skills gaps and boost productivity. Training providers will ensure that top quality training is adapted to the needs of employers and their staff and is delivered in a targeted and flexible way within the workplace, from basic reading and maths up to key technician level and beyond.

“Education does not and should not stop when people leave school or college – people must be able to tap into education throughout life, whether it is academic, trade, basic or vocational. That is why we have made record investments in education and are putting millions into Train to Gain over the next few years.”

Gordon Brown said:

“If Britain is going to succeed in today’s global economy, it is vital that we are world leaders in education and continuously develop the skills of our workforce. That is why we want to give every schoolchild the opportunity to learn a trade and get practical work experience so they are ready to enter the jobs market when they leave school or college. And we want to give every adult the opportunity to learn new skills or train for a new career. Working together, government and business can create the high-tech, high-wage and high-skills jobs of the future, and ensure we have the people ready to fill them.”

David Way, National Director of Skills at the Learning and Skills Council said:

“The Government’s investment in Train to Gain underlines its firm commitment to address skills shortages. Train to Gain is the most important service available to employers today, putting the strategic needs of the business at the heart of decisions about training. All employers, big and small, have a chance to define the skills and training needed, address skills shortages using the help and guidance of a specialist advisor.”

Training and skills advice under Train to Gain will be offered at a time and place to suit the needs of the business. Without up to 50 Skills Brokers operating in each of the nine regions with partners such as Investors in People and Sector Skills Councils, more than half a million learners across England are expected to have achieved a first full Level 2 qualification - the equivalent of five good GCSEs - through Train to Gain by the end of 2010.