Latest information on Train to Gain
Standardised Train to Gain Enrollment Documents
Acting on recommendations from the National Bureaucracy Reduction Group and the recent end to end process review of Train to Gain a working group of Train to Gain providers were bought together to develop a succinct set of standardised documents that could be used for the enrolment and monitoring of a learner through their Train to Gain journey that would meet audit requirements whilst at the same time be user friendly for practitioners. These documents have now been approved by the information authority and are available to Train to Gain providers via the Bureaucracy Reduction section of this website.
Integrated Brokerage Service
1st April 2009 sees the launch of the Integrated Brokerage Service, where both Train to Gain and Business Link brokers come together into one service under the Business Link brand. The service will provide a “one stop shop” for business, offering a fully integrated information, diagnostic and brokerage service. DIUS and BERR have issued a joint press notice, together with key messages and a question and answer section (these can be found below).
As soon as further information is available, including more detail about the branding and the new telephone number, we will share this with you via future Train to Gain Internal Bulletins.
New Brokerage Service (78k)
Solutions for Business (172k)
Briefing for the Launch of IBS (74k)
Skills Broker Association Conference 2009
This event is set to take place on 20th February 2009, in Meriden at the National Motor Cycle Museum. The conference is sponsored by the LSC, BERR and DIUS. This will be the first opportunity to get together with other brokers and those in a similar role, from Business Links, colleges and training providers from around the country to share experiences and discuss areas of best practice.
Messages will be delivered right from the very top by a wide range of high profile speakers, Including David Way and Lord Young, whose responsibilities cover both the skills and business support agenda.
Places are limited for stands and attendance, so if you would like to book a place at the conference, please see the attached invitations which supply booking details.
We ask regional colleagues to remind colleges and training providers of this great opportunity to attend or exhibit at this event.
Exhibitor Letter for Skills Broker Association Conference 2009 (165KB)
Delegate Invite Letterhead for Skills Broker Association Conference 2009 (429KB)
Qualifications identified as Full Level 2 Repeats
Updated provider briefings for Level 2 and Level 3 repeats are available below for your attention.
Specific queries about any of the qualifications, or their inclusion on this list please contact the relevant Sector Skills Council.
Qualifications Identified for Full Level 3 Repeats – Provider Briefing (Version 1.5) (87KB)
Qualifications Identified for Repeats – Provider Briefing (Version 5.5) (164 KB)
Qualifications Identified for Full Level 2 Repeats – SSC/SSB Briefing (Version 2) (82 KB)
National Consortium of Colleges Conference
The LSC has been working with the National Consortium of Colleges to organise their spring conference which is to be held between 31st March and 1st April 2009 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.
An agenda will be available soon. Please find below an invitation to the event.
Invitation to NCC Spring Conference (85KB)
Capital Skills Prospectus
Providers should be aware of the Capital Skills Prospectus which extends eligibility to providers who have not previously been eligible for FE capital funding. The closing date for Expressions of Interest to the national fund is 28th February 2009.
Expression of Interest Forms
£30m capacity building funding for Train to Gain providers
John Denham announced at the AoC Conference in November 2008 that a £30m infrastructure fund was to be made available to complement LSIS and LSC funds. Please find attached a letter and guidance note on how the fund will be distributed. This information is being sent directly to Train to Gain providers from your regional LSC.
Letter to Provider from Mark Haysom Dec 08
Capacity Building Guidance Dec 08
Denham announces £350m to support small businesses
John Denham has announced a number of measures to help SMEs cope with the financial downturn. He stated that £350 million will be directed towards small businesses through further enhancements of the Train to Gain service. John Denham said: "Small businesses are an important engine of our economy and we must make sure that we support them during tough economic times. We are overhauling the training system to make sure that they can get help with training their staff with the very minimum of bureaucracy. We know that firms which invest in skills do better than those that don't, which is why we will be urging small businesses to take up this offer from Government."
More detailed practical advice will be provided soon, detailing the changes and what they mean for those delivering Train to Gain. The Train to Gain bulletin will also include further information.
