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Workforce training

Workforce training in Bury

A wide range of training is available from a variety of agencies both in Bury and in neighbouring districts across Manchester.

Some training is fully or part-funded from various sources but employers are expected to pay for training on other courses which are not funded. When you find a training programme that you think may suit your needs please contact the delivery agent direct.

 
Programmes for skills training
Type of training What it is Who is eligible / is it aimed at? Delivery organisation(s) Funding source
Account Management Services of a dedicated individual to work with companies to explore opportunities and advise on business (including skills/training) solutions at strategic and operational level All sectors and sizes of organisations in the GM area ChamberLink Small Business Service contact NWDA
Adult Apprenticeship Initially small-scale pilots in three sector areas Target groups not yet clearly defined. Has potential to address mid-career job-changers and others interested in moving into skills shortage areas where there is the need for some substantial occupational training at level 2/3 LSC-funded training providers LSC
Agreement of 3-year provider business plans Providers funded by LSC agree 3-year development plans which contain stretching targets for learner numbers, employer engagement, improving quality, and increasing skills and qualifications of provider staff All LSC- funded colleges and training providers LSC A requirement for receiving LSC funding
Aimhigher An initiative to encourage progression to HE, particularly for those from non-traditional backgrounds, minority groups and disabled people Young people and anyone giving information, advice and guidance to young people Aimhigher - working with schools, colleges, universities, LEAs, independent training providers DfES via HEFC (and some LSC)
Ambition programmes High quality training designed by employers to meet precise entry requirements of identified vacancies in selected sectors, e.g. construction, ICT etc. Employers who are recruiting, particularly in skill shortage areas Independent training providers Jobcentre Plus (but continued funding now in question)
Apprenticeships Work-based occupational training programme leading to Level 2 NVQ (Apprenticeships) or Level 3 NVQ (Advanced Apprenticeships) and including key skills and underpinning knowledge (via Technical Certificates)
Professional Apprenticeships are a GM scheme whereby young people can also acquire higher skills via an NVQ4 and a Foundation Degree or equivalent professional qualification		 Young people aged 16-25, but with priority to the 16-19 group Work-based training providers: mainly independent providers but including some FE colleges LSC

Employers
Careers North West An online resource providing detailed information on sectors, career routes, qualifications, courses etc. Young people and those looking to change career path Careers NW team @ NWDA NWDA
Collective response to large scale recruitment or redundancies All relevant agencies getting together to meet the needs of specific recruitment or redundancy situations Companies with significant recruitment needs.
Individuals with the skills to meet recruitment need. All individuals affected in the case of large scale redundancy		 Partnership activity:
LSC
Jobcentre Plus
ME
ChamberLink
MIDAS
NWDA
Colleges/training providers
Others as appropriate		 Jobcentre Plus
LSC
Mainstream funds
Discretionary funds
Community Education Programmes
(Adult & Community Learning)		 Learning activity encompassing a wide range of mainly non-accredited education and training for leisure or career purposes Individuals, employed or unemployed LEAs, some colleges and providers LSC with individuals contributing in some cases. Individual contributions likely to increase due to pressure on LSC budgets
CoVEs Specialist sector-focused centres of vocational provision at NVQ level 2/3, with close employer links. There are 13 in GM Colleges and training providers FE colleges and training providers LSC
Employer Training Pilot Training in basic skills or a Level 2 NVQ aimed at employees with low level skills Company employees over the age of 25. Individuals are only eligible to pursue a relevant level 2 and/or basic skills qualification, where they do not already hold one at this level. The employer must sign up to an agreed action plan for the individual's development Providers contracted to Greater Manchester LSC LSC meet the cost of training and an agreed subsidy towards the cost of releasing the individual for training.
Currently a pilot but due to be extended nationally as the National Employer Training Programme from 2006
Information & Advice for Adults
(nextstep)		 Free information and advice on learning and work for adults aged 20 and over. Reformed service (with new nextstep brand) relaunched in November 2004 Targeted at clients aged 20+ without a first qualification at Level 2 Manchester Enterprises contracts (on behalf of LSC) with a range of providers across GM LSC
Investors in People A framework for improving business performance through the training & development of staff All companies with 2 or more staff A range of organisations & consultants can brokered in by ChamberLink to help companies prepare to meet the standard. Assessment is then organised with a local Centre for Assessment & Recognition In most cases companies meet the cost of assessment. Basic advice about the standard is free - the cost of specialist advice & support/training is met by the company - in some instances this is subsidised
learndirect Provides flexible online learning using a range of new technologies Anyone - but targeted at people with no or few skills/qualifications.
Employers working to improve the skills of their workforce		 learndirect - through network of 2000+ online delivery centres University for Industry (UFI), via LSC/DfES
Level 2 Employer-based training Training for company employees to achieve a Level 2 NVQ Any company / individual Delivered mainly by FE colleges Employer

LSC
Level 2 Entitlement An entitlement for all individuals to receive education or training to enable them to achieve their first level 2 qualification Any individual, employed or not National entitlement due to be rolled out progressively from 2005 and funding opened up to other providers from 2006 LSC
Level 3 Skill Shortage training NVQ training to level 3 which is specifically targeted on skill shortages Any company / individual Delivered by FE colleges and independent training providers Employers primarily responsible for addressing Level 3+ skills.

LSC/ NWDA: subject to funding being available
Management & Leadership Development Training Training programmes specifically aimed at improving the skills of managers All managers with a staffing responsibility Brokered out to a range of management development centres/providers across the region Cost is normally met by the employer.

LSC funds in some cases
Post inspection & quality development action plans Plans put together to further develop provision or remedy shortcomings following inspection Colleges, training providers, LEAs (for area-wide inspections) Colleges, providers, LEAs with support from the LSC LSC
Provider responsiveness One of the key themes of 'Success for All', the LSC's long-term strategy for reforming the learning and skills sector. About making providers more responsive to the needs of the economy, businesses and individuals Colleges and training providers LSC working with colleges and training providers LSC mainstream funds and Local Intervention and Development Fund
Recruitment and Skills Brokerage Employer engagement, more detailed/operational diagnosis / training needs assessment and referral to provider(s) All employers ChamberLink providers LSC
NRF
Sector Networks Greater Manchester-based employer networks established to lead the development and growth of their sectors and to articulate employer demand for skills, business support and other publicly-funded services for the sector Sector employers ME on behalf of all Greater Manchester agencies ME
BSNW
Skills for Life National strategy for improving adult literacy and numeracy skills - includes funding for increasing number of teachers and quality of education Adults with poor literacy and numeracy skills.
Teachers in adult education		 LSC contracting with LEAs, colleges and providers.
UFI contracting via learndirect Hubs		 LSC/UFI
Jobcentre Plus
Support for Success
Quality improvement programme to help providers:
  • Share good practice
  • Enhance capability for self improvement
  • Devise targets & improvement plans
  • Be more responsive
  • Develop customer focused approach
  • Support underperforming provision
 Colleges and training providers LSDA in partnership with Association of Colleges, Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion and NIACE LSC