News

A scheme to help workers in the haulage industry find the training they need to improve literacy and numeracy skills has received confirmation that funding will be doubled to £900m by 2011. Train to Gain has proven so successful in raising skills levels in businesses following its launch a year ago that by 2010 it is expected that over 500,000 learners will have achieved a first full Level 2 qualification  - the equivalent of 5 good GCSE passes - through the scheme.

So far, more than 58,000 employers have contacted the service, which is managed and funded by the Learning and Skills Council, and 240,000 employees have undertaken training. Train to Gain staff act as training brokers and help companies source the training they need, including leadership and management courses and apprenticeships.

A recent government poll of UK employees found that businesses consider skills shortages and recruitment difficulties a bigger threat to performance than soaring oil prices. Funding will be £440m next year, rising to £650m in 2008/09 and then to more than £900m in 2010/11.

Preston, Lancs-based truck exhaust systems manufacturer Bosal (UK) says it has improved its bottom line since making use of the Train to Gain service.  HR manager Pam Hill says: "We have already witnessed improvements being implemented in production and warehouse processes from those employees who have achieved their NVQ qualifications, and to roll this out to as many employees as possible can only reap positive rewards for our organisation."