New Fund set to increase skills base of Yorkshire employers

A £30m Train to Gain Enhancement Fund has been introduced to engage employers across Yorkshire and the Humber in skills development.

With the potential of increased investment of up to £50m, the funds aim to increase the skills base in the region. Provided by the European Social Fund (ESF) and Yorkshire Forward, the £30m will provide resources to support training activity that meets specific business needs which are not currently being met through existing programmes. £20m will be allocated to South Yorkshire and the remaining money will be split across West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and the Humber.

In today’s economic climate, it is increasingly important that resource for training and skills opportunities are available in order to ensure companies remain competitive in the current market. Administered by Calderdale College, the Enhancement Fund will provide financial assistance to businesses wanting to develop their staff, supporting both accredited and non accredited activity, of any duration, at any level.

Building on the success and good practice of the Skills Fund – a previous ESF initiative – the administration of the Train to Gain Fund will include customised support through single business applications. This will ensure that activity meets company needs, enabling flexible learning responses and training support for employees who feel their employers are not supporting them in learning and skills development. All the training is designed to stimulate business growth and increase competitiveness across the region and links directly into existing Train to Gain developments.

Ebrahim Dockrat, skills development director for the LSC in Yorkshire and the Humber, comments: “This initiative is a fantastic opportunity for both employers and employees across the region to become involved in skills development. It demonstrates how ESF can be used strategically to add value to mainstream programmes. As a result of this investment, employers in the region will be in a unique position to secure financial support to develop their workforce irrespective of size or geography.”

Ruth Adams, assistant director of skills for Yorkshire Forward, added: “We are delighted to have invested in the Train to Gain Enhancement Fund in order to allow targeted activity in Higher Level Skills, focusing on the management potential of technicians and addressing sectoral priorities in line with geographic area needs. We need to focus on adults in employment to develop their skills in order for our region’s companies to remain competitive in an increasingly difficult marketplace - The Train to Gain Enhancement Fund will enable us to do this.”