Thursday, January 29, 2009
Government boosts training funding for auto sector
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) the Sector Skills Council for the automotive retail sector has today (28 January) welcomed the news from the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) that automotive employers will be able to access high quality skills support and increased funding via the Train to Gain scheme.
The measures set out in Lord Mandelson's statement to the House of Lords on a package of measures to help the automotive industry included the commitment that, if there is demand from the industry, funding to support new training will be increased.
The IMI is working with training providers and employers to establish a route to obtain funding and are keen to establish new links with employers to ensure the automotive sector can benefit from skills development that meets its requirements. This is a critically important programme specifically targeted to help all small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the automotive sector, train their workforce, at a time when it is undoubtedly most needed.
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has announced new funding allocations weighted towards the sectors where it is required. The funding is allocated via a competitive tendering process and organisations who want to bid for this additional money can contact the IMI who, as the Sector Skills Council, will try and provide support as a named partner.
The LSC recently increased the flexibility of its eligibility criteria for access to Train to Gain funding. Employees who already hold a Level 2 qualification and are looking for another Level 2 or higher, are now eligible for funding, as are employees looking for part-qualifications or what the LSC calls "bite-sized chunks" of training. These new allowances apply to England only.
DATED: 29.01.09
FEED: HA
The measures set out in Lord Mandelson's statement to the House of Lords on a package of measures to help the automotive industry included the commitment that, if there is demand from the industry, funding to support new training will be increased.
The IMI is working with training providers and employers to establish a route to obtain funding and are keen to establish new links with employers to ensure the automotive sector can benefit from skills development that meets its requirements. This is a critically important programme specifically targeted to help all small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the automotive sector, train their workforce, at a time when it is undoubtedly most needed.
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has announced new funding allocations weighted towards the sectors where it is required. The funding is allocated via a competitive tendering process and organisations who want to bid for this additional money can contact the IMI who, as the Sector Skills Council, will try and provide support as a named partner.
The LSC recently increased the flexibility of its eligibility criteria for access to Train to Gain funding. Employees who already hold a Level 2 qualification and are looking for another Level 2 or higher, are now eligible for funding, as are employees looking for part-qualifications or what the LSC calls "bite-sized chunks" of training. These new allowances apply to England only.
DATED: 29.01.09
FEED: HA
