SkillsActive welcomes Skills Development Scotland’s new training programme

SkillsActive - 02/07/10

The Programme, set up to fund 5,000 training places, will help businesses invest in learning and development opportunities for their employees with a focus on supporting learning activity which will aid the growth of small businesses within Scotland.
 
Welcoming the Programme, SkillsActive’s national manager for Scotland, Pam Scott said: “Our 2006 Sector Skills Agreement consultation research with employers revealed that a bite-sized approach to training would help to upskill the workforce. This was further supported with this year’s employer consultation. We wholly welcome this initiative as a positive response from the Scottish Government. 
 
“We are fully aware of the practicalities around funding for new programmes, and although the initiative is restricted to businesses with fewer than 50 employees, this represents a substantial proportion of the Active Leisure, Learning and Well-being sector and would encourage our employers to embrace the programme.
 
“Now is a great time to be investing in workforce development to ensure confident and competent staff who can adapt to changing business environments.”

Skills Development Scotland’s current operating plan looks to ‘respond to the needs of individuals and businesses by providing skills that industry and Scotland needs’. The Programme is designed to be very flexible in terms of the training courses that can be funded, has streamlined the application process to encourage eligible businesses to take advantage of the opportunity and make an application, and offers 5,000 flexible learning places, not previously available, on a first come first served basis. 

For more details are on the Flexible Training Opportunities Programme, visit the Skills Development Scotland website or call 0800 783 6000.