Train to Gain Helps Businesses of all Sizes Fight Recession

Both large and small businesses have reaped the benefits of Government funded training support, which is backed up by figures released by the Learning and Skills Council.

In a survey of employers who use the training initiative, 80 per cent said they were likely to recommend Train to Gain to other employers and use it again themselves. A significant number of employers (41 per cent) also said Train to Gain had helped them cope with the recession.

Skills Minister Kevin Brennan said:
“These reports show that businesses value the change to offer staff high quality training, that they otherwise may not have been able to, through Train to Gain.

“Thousands of businesses and tens of thousands of employees have benefited from the improved skills delivered by our Train to Gain programme. This is crucial for the long term strength of the economy and the ability of individuals to fulfil their potential.

“The fact that so many learners and employers understand how vital skills and training can be shows how effective our support has been during difficult economic times. We remain committed to ensuring that as many people as possible get the skills they need to benefit from the opportunities of growth.”

Bristol based MITIE Group PLC, the strategic outsourcing and asset management company, has more than 49,000 members of staff and has used Train to Gain to help with staff development.

Roger Goodman, Corporate Development Director, MITIE, said:
“Train to Gain has enabled MITIE to support our people with training and qualifications in a way that would not otherwise have been possible. The programme reaches people that are most in need of help and gives them the broad skills they need for work, and a platform from which to go on and develop.”

Small business Best Service Europe LTD, based in Hull, specialises in the design, installation and servicing of bespoke automation systems for the maritime industry.

Managing Director Frank Butterfield, said:
“Train to Gain has revolutionised the way I view our company and how I want it to operate. It has allowed me to identify both our strengths and weaknesses and meet these challenges head on. Everyone is revitalised and keen to continue developing the business. We could even come out of the downturn better placed than when we went into it.”

Since its launch in April 2006, Train to Gain learners have started over 1.54 million qualifications, and there have been over 960,000 qualifications awarded. More than 175,000 employers have been engaged through Train to Gain brokerage services. In 2010-11, the Government plans to invest nearly £1 billion through Train to Gain, building on the £38 billion that employers are already investing in training each year.

The support of businesses for Train to Gain is echoed through the LSC’s figures, taken from over 9,000 employer and 7,000 learner interviews. Businesses have acclaimed the success of Train to Gain, with more than 75 per cent declaring it equipped their staff with valuable job related skills which improved performance.

Geoff Russell, Chief Executive of the LSC, said:
“This report shows that businesses have used Train to Gain to equip their employees with vital skills that have had a direct impact on their productivity. This is a critical business benefit in tough economic times.

“Workplace training has never been more responsive or flexible to the needs of employers and it is gratifying that more employers recognise the benefits of training their staff so they have a skilled workforce, ready for the upturn. The direct benefit to their business productivity and their employees is clear.”

The employer report also found:

• Train to Gain continues to perform highly in encouraging employers to engage with training and development of staff.

• Employers have been able to train more staff and give them access to higher quality qualifications than they would have done otherwise.

• A high number of employers said Train to Gain helped them engage in training and development of their staff.
The Learner report found:

• Employees’ satisfaction with Train to Gain remained high with more than 90 per cent pleased with their training.

• Nearly 90 per cent of learners said they hoped to get a qualification at the end of their training, with 85 per cent looking for skills that would look good in the future and improved their ability to do their job.
• The recession is having a positive impact on employee attitudes towards training making them keen to boost their chances in an unpredictable economic climate.
The Train to Gain evaluation report follows the recent “Going for Growth” and “Skills for Growth” strategies. These detail how the Government is continuing to invest in skills in order to help drive economic growth and productivity as the country emerges from recession.