The scheme is marketed by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) as an advice service to employers, using 'skills brokers'. Their role is to help employers identify their training needs and find a suitable training provider. The skills brokers are trained by the LSC and have a proven track record of providing effective advice to businesses.
By working with a skills broker, settings can:
- Identify the skills the business needs
- Pinpoint the right training
- Agree a tailored training package
- Find available funding
- Review progress.
Train to Gain is an alternative to the LSC apprenticeship scheme in that it aims to provide funding to obtain an NVQ without the full apprenticeship framework, which includes a technical certificate and key skills component.
Those accessing the scheme will need to be in employment within a childcare setting and be salaried. They will need to be aged 19 years or over and will work towards an NVQ level 2 or 3 in Children's Care, Learning and Development.
There are two ways to access funding. The first involves contacting a Train to Gain skills broker, who will assess the setting's training needs and put them in touch with a provider who has a Train to Gain contract. Alternatively, the setting can approach a training provider of their choice and ask if they have a contract.
We are all aware of the importance of well-trained staff in the childcare industry. It ensures the safe and healthy development of the children in our care and the trust of the parents. The Government is committed, through the LSC, to increasing the investment in training from £230m in 2006/07 to £399m in subsequent years.
By ensuring employees have the right skills to do the best job, Train to Gain can help boost practice, reputation and staff retention.
It seems there has never been a better time to increase skills and qualifications.
Further information:
www.traintogain.gov.uk
www.lsc.gov.uk
www.cache.org.uk.
