Agreement to tackle skills shortages

In the UK, businesses in the print and paper industries can now benefit from a £62 mn Sector Training Agreement through Proskills, the sector skills council (SCC) for the Process and Manufacturing Sector. The ‘Sector Compact’ is a three-year non-contractual agreement between the UK Government, the Learning and Skills council (LSC) and Proskillls that aims to tackle skills shortages and develop more highly skilled and qualified workers through more effective use of the ‘Train to Gain’ programme.

Skills Minister Lord Young said: "Now, more than ever, the success of key industries will depend on government and employers working together to increase people's skills and their ability to do the jobs of the future. We are listening to employers and have taken action to remove barriers to training. This agreement will ensure firms have access to flexible, world class training tailored to the specific needs of their business, when and where they need it."

Through the Compact, Proskills will work in partnership with the LSC and its national network of skills brokers to assist employers in the print and paper industries gain access to financial assistance to support full or part funding for a range of sector-specific training requirements. These include additional level two and three NVQ qualifications, apprenticeships, management and leadership skills, as well as skills for life.

Jonathan Ledger, strategic programme manager at Proskills, adds: “While we fully appreciate the difficulties facing businesses today, there is actually no better time than the present to train staff. Funding is available from the Government; eligibility and procedures for accessing this financial support has been made more flexible; and it’s vital that employers take this opportunity to develop their workforce now, so that they can be ready to take advantage of the upturn in the economy when it arrives.”

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