The Learning Skills Council (LSC) will roll out its new flagship service Train to Gain, that will help businesses in Hampshire and the Isle of White get the training they need to succeed.

Train to Gain originally launched nationally in April 2006 will equip local businesses with the skills they need to excel in the marketplace and reach their potential.   

In Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Train to Gain will make growing businesses more competitive by giving them access to a free ‘Skills Broker’ service through Skills South East, a partnership of the six Business Link service Providers and the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).

This broker will act just like a personal trainer, assessing a business’ skills needs, drawing up a ‘fitness’ plan and putting businesses in touch with local skills providers that can help get businesses in shape for the future and sharpen their competitive edge. In Eastleigh this will be lead by Eastleigh College, who successfully submitted a Train to Gain bid on behalf of all 23 training providers in relation to the delivery of 3,982 NVQs in Construction in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and across the South East.

As well as free advice from Skills Brokers, much of the training qualifies for a Government subsidy; including basic reading, writing and maths, first full Level 2 qualifications and Apprenticeships – meaning that businesses aren’t out of pocket. However some training such as management development will need to be paid for by the employer.

Martin Lamb Area Director for LSC Hampshire and Isle of Wight said:

“Train to Gain is a dynamic new way of working with employers and is designed to put their businesses’ skills development needs first and ensure that the delivery of training is much more responsive to their needs.  We know that across Hampshire 29% of adults in the workforce lack the basic Level 2 qualification, equivalent to 5 good GCSEs – the minimum set of skills and competencies needed to get on in working life.  This compares to 24% in Berkshire and 28% in Surrey. Clearly this skills gap has implications for businesses in Hampshire. Train to Gain plugs this gap and provides business-led training.”

Judy Lewis, Skills Broker in Hampshire region said:

“These days in a competitive business market it is the survival of the fittest. Skills Brokers can help you by kick-starting your fitness campaign so that your people are skilled and ready to meet the challenges ahead.”

LSC research shows that nearly a third (28%) of employers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have not invested in vocational, Apprenticeship, or NVQ training over the last 12 months. Across the South East this is the highest take-up – the lowest in Milton Keynes (39%).

Train to Gain aims to engage with 16,000 employers and 54,000 learners in the South East by August 2008.

To find out more about Train to Gain visit: www.traintogain.gov.uk