Train to Gain is a skills brokerage service, managed by the Business Link Skills Service with the aim of improving the competitiveness of UK businesses through improving their access to good quality training.

Train to Gain links Employers with Skills Brokers who work individually with them to find out what their employees’ training needs are, work out a training plan, and then help them to find the right training for them.

Because Train to Gain Skills Brokers do not work for a training organisation, the advice they give to Employers is impartial on what is most suitable to them.  The aim is to make sure Employers find the training they need to develop more competitive businesses.

• Train to Gain is a service, not a funding stream and the skills brokerage service is free.  Some of the training recommended may also be free, while some may require additional funding from the Employer.  NVQ Level 2 fully funded qualifications are just one possible solution for Employers.

• Train to Gain is for all kinds of Employers, large and small, for the most basic to the most advanced skills training, and from practical and language skills to business skills.

• The Government has committed a third of the adult skills and Further Education budget to be routed through Train to Gain by July 2011 – over £1billion.

• A contribution to wage costs may be available for Employers with 50 employees or fewer.  This is to cover the costs of their employees being away from their workplace when training. 

For further information please visit the Business Link website...www.businesslink.gov.uk/southwest