The government has pumped extra money for SMEs into its 'Train 2 Gain' scheme, which helps businesses invest in skills. The new SME package means that on top of the core offer available to all employers, those with fewer than 250 employees can now also access:
- Smaller, focused training programmes in subjects demanded by businesses including: business improvement, business systems/processes, team working/communications, sales and marketing, IT User, IT support, customer service, new product design, finance and credit, cash flow and profit management, and risk management
- Fully funded Level 2 qualifications and subsidised Level 3 qualifications, regardless of whether the employee already has a qualification at this level
- Funding for leadership and management training extended to businesses with 5-10 employees.
In addition, businesses with less than 50 employees can still receive a contribution to wage costs to cover the cost of time off to train. There will also be help for groups of SMEs located together in business parks so that they can increase their purchasing power and share resources to support the training of staff.
To access a skills broker visit Train to Gain or call 0800 015 55 45.
