Recession-beating £50m training fund for process sector

London - The Government and Cogent Sector Skills Council is making £50m available for employers in the national skills council’s vital science-using sector. Through the Training Fund, Cogent is focussing the support and funding available through Train to Gain to take action in tough economic times.

The ring-fenced fund is aimed at both the training of new entrants and apprentices and qualifying existing workers in the chemicals, polymers and pharmaceuticals sector. It is part of an offer which includes free advice, as well as fully-funded or low-cost training.

The offer is directed at the specific skills needs of the sector and a range of technical qualifications which embed skills for competitiveness within companies. Training in business improvement as well as management and leadership is also covered.

Cogent CEO Joanna Woolf said: “We know that many companies are feeling the pain: but a downturn can provide the opportunity to realise long-term gain. This fund supports an investment in people so that organisations are even stronger when times improve.”

Cogent is urging employers to build their talent pool through the fund and take advantage of the free advice that goes with it. Training, it notes, supports people in multi-tasking and taking on more responsibility, which in turn keeps the demand for new staff under check, while supporting morale in difficult times.

Employers can obtain access to the fund through Cogent’s partner the National Skills Academy Process Industries which can help them to understand their business’s skills needs and direct them to the right solutions through Train to Gain and a network of high-quality training providers.

Phil Jones, CEO of the Skills Academy said: “This fund is supporting companies in making people development a part of their longer term strategic business plan. By proactively focusing on employee training and development through a custom designed action plan, employers can get new ideas and techniques into their organisation, delivering improved results and practices during these recessionary times.”

To find out more about the funding and advice on offer employers can email: traintogain@process.nsacademy.co.uk or phone us on 0845 607 0140