Train to Gain

Train to Gain is the National Skills Service linking organisations, training providers and the Government. It supports organisations of all sizes and sectors to improve the skills of their staff and volunteers, equipping them with the right skills to drive your organisation forward. You will obtain the assistance of a dedicated Skills Broker or Training Advisor to assist you in this aim and will receive a tailored training package that suits your needs, your people and your budget.

How It Works and What it Covers

Organising and implementing training can be challenging and time-consuming for organisations. A Skills Broker, College or Training Provider takes on much of the hard work, identifying quality course provision and business support, helping you schedule your training and/or organisation support to minimise disruption to your organisation. Train to Gain covers over 70 National Vocational Qualifications (N.V.Q.s) and Skills for Life Qualifications ranging from Entry Level 1 to Level 4 (H.N.C). Bite size training courses in areas that make quick returns to an organisation, from cash flow management to business improvement techniques, as well as longer Leadership and Management courses for coaching and mentoring towards qualifications are also available.

How does the Skills Broker/Training Advisor support work specifically?

Your Skills Broker/Training Advisor will arrange to visit your organisation at a time that suits you. They will:

  • Identify the skills that will boost your organisation and make a real difference to your organisation – now and into the future.
  • Create a tailored package of training that identifies the training and other skills strategies that will drive your organisation forward, and the staff/volunteers that will benefit most.
  • Find reliable local training providers who can work on site, minimising disruption to your organisation.
  • Find funding to complement your investment if you're eligible for partial or full funding or subsidies and, assist you to access this support.
  • Evaluate the training to ensure real results making sure it has a real impact on your organisations success.

Can Skills Brokers/Training Advisors recommend sector-specific training?

Train to Gain works with the Sector Skills Councils (S.S.C.s) to identify the specific skills needs of each organisational sector. Your Skills Broker/Training Advisor will have the expertise to offer sector-specific skills advice. The Train to Gain brokerage service can be contacted via email at info@businesslinkyorkshire.co.uk or by telephone on: 08456 048 048.

Can I access Train to Gain via a college or training provider, rather than using a Skills Broker?

Yes you can use any college or training provider. If you already have an established relationship with a training provider or if there is a training provider that is local to your organisation that you would like to use for example. You can find out more about them and how to get in touch by going to the college and training provider search facility: www10.employersguide.org.uk/egtnat

Who can benefit from the training?

Training benefits your organisation in many ways. It boosts competitiveness, productivity and staff/volunteer motivation, and reduces your recruitment costs. By taking on the hard work of identifying and organising your training, Train to Gain helps you realise the benefits for your organisation. The Train to Gain initiative has recently been extended to benefit a wider range of individuals. The following groups are now eligible to benefit from the scheme: Contracted employees (full or part time); Volunteers; Self employed people; Employment agency workers.

Funding

For staff/volunteers that don't already have a full level 2 qualification, (equivalent to 5 good G.C.S.E.s) funding is available for Literacy, Numeracy, English Language Skills, first Level 2 qualification. Additional funding is also now available for a number of additional Level 2 qualifications and for staff/volunteers that have already accessed funding through Train to Gain:

  • For staff/volunteers who already have Level 2 qualifications, significant contribution funding is available for them to achieve Level 3 qualifications (equivalent to 2 A-Levels).
  • If they don't have a Level 2 qualification but have the skills to progress straight to Level 3 or, if they are aged 19-25, full funding is available for them to achieve Level 3 qualifications.
  • For those who already possess Level 3 qualifications, funding is available for them to achieve additional Level 3 qualifications

The Enhancement Fund

The Enhancement Fund is a £50m resource aimed at engaging employers in Yorkshire and Humber to invest in skills development and therefore increase the skills base in the region. In these challenging times, it is important that businesses remain competitive and are able to respond flexibly to market changes. An important element of this is ensuring that business leaders and employees are skilled, knowledgeable and in a position to respond effectively to challenges and changes in economic and market needs. The Enhancement Fund is intended to support businesses to address these challenges by enabling them to access resources improve the skills of their workforce. Visit www.enhancementfund.co.uk for more information.

Becoming a Train to Gain Provider

As of 31st October 2008, the LSC has opened a Qualified Provider Framework for providers of education and training services who would like to be considered to deliver Train to Gain. More details of the Qualified Provider Framework can be found at http://www.lsc.gov.uk/providers/commissioning/qualifiedproviderframework and guidance on how to complete the Q.P.F. can be found at http://readingroom.lsc.gov.uk/lsc/National/nat-qpf-supplierguideslides-dec08.ppt

Doncaster CVS can be contacted at 01302 343300 or by email at enquiries@doncaster.cvs.org.uk