As Train to Gain today marks its first anniversary since it was rolled out nationally, the service is rapidly expanding to help even more businesses get the training they need to succeed. More than 52,000 employers have signed up to date, exceeding the targets set by Government. Latest figures reveal that nearly 230,000 employees have begun learning through Train to Gain, while almost 96,000 have already completed full Level 2 qualifications.

The Health and Social Work sector has expressed the highest interest in the training service (19 per cent, or just over 10,000). The Wholesale and Retail sector is the second highest at 14 per cent (7,382 employers), followed by Real Estate at 12 per cent (6,327 employers) and Manufacturing (11 per cent, or 5,800 employers).

Train to Gain has been listening to employers to ensure business needs are being met and the service is evolving and expanding as it enters its second year.  Through Train to Gain, the LSC is also working more closely with training providers and other partners to help businesses understand the importance and the benefits of training. 

Rt Hon John Denham MP, Secretary of State at the Department for Innovation Universities and Skills said: “If we are to succeed in today’s competitive global market, we need to train. The Government recently launched a skills campaign to encourage employers and individuals across the country to take control of their futures by investing in skills, and Train to Gain is the easiest way for businesses to achieve this challenge.”

Jaine Clarke, national director of skills for employers at the Learning and Skills Council commented:

“One year on, Train to Gain has got off to a great start. The fact that we’re exceeding our targets in employer take-up demonstrates the country’s demand for better skills and training, and we will continue to build on this success. The priority in the first year was to reach small companies not engaged with training. We delivered on this with over 72 per cent of the employers signed up to Train to Gain within the ‘hard to reach’ group.  In our second year we aim to reach a greater number of larger companies.  Through the Skills Pledge we are reaching even more employers, as businesses make a firm commitment to training their staff.”

Officially launched by the Government in June, the Skills Pledge is a public and voluntary commitment made by employers to support all their employees to develop basic skills.

To find out more about how Train to Gain can help, employers should call 0800 015 55 45 or visit traintogain.gov.uk. Alternatively, individuals and employers can access the information they need on skills via a dedicated phone line and website. The phone number is 0800 011 30 30 or website: lsc.gov.uk/inourhands

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