Our Courses

Train to Gain

Train to Gain is a Government initiative to help support businesses in the cost of training their employees.

In some cases Train to Gain can offer NVQ training at little or no cost to your business.  In other instances it may offer a wage subsidy while staffs are released to attend training. 

Train to Gain applies to NVQs at Level 2 and 3.  We are happy to advise you on the eligibility of your prospective trainees.

Qualification Credits Framework (QCF)

With the disappearance of NVQ's expected in March 2011 the launch of QCF qualifications will be announced.

While employers will be familiar with NVQ's, the funding and structure of QCF will bring many advantages in comparison:

1. Achievement of units rather than qualifications is permitted
2. Units can be written specific to employer needs and attached to qualifications
3. Qualifications can be changed in length and committed required to achieve via the use of Award, Certificate and Diploma sub-categories
4. Knowledge development requirements are standard within each unit.  Assessment only is no longer permitted.  Each credit that is contained within a qualification requires 10 hours of guided learning.
5. Duplication of units is no longer required.  Within NVQ's an employee may be required to complete the same unit twice if they were completing a second qualification.  Within QCF is the employee has completed the unit once before they will not be required to repeat it.  They will instead be permitted to use prior accredited learning to recognise their abilities.

What will QCF mean for employees?

The QCF is an innovative way of recognising skills and qualifications.  It does this by awarding credit for qualifications and units (small building blocks to learning).  It enables people to gain qualifications at their own pace along flexible routes.

Levels of qualifications within QCF Previous levels of 1-8 will still remain as within NVQ's.  However QCF will introduce methods of additional recognition as achievements will be recognised through the award of credits i.e. Award, Certificate or Diploma.  There are three sizes of qualification within each level of QCF:

How these work is represented in the diagram below.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are an opportunity for your business to benefit from having a motivated employee who is gaining skills relevant to your business.  The programmes are subsidised to combine one day a week off-site training with on-site learning and experience.  The apprentice develops specialist skills that are up-to-date and current with legislation.

Good apprenticeship delivery is based on partnership and communication to build a more effective, competent, productive and competitive workforce.

Example Case Studies

Skills for Life

Free help and support is available for employees who need to improve their maths, reading or writing skills.  This is a major Government initiative for the individual, but it also has proven impact in the workplace with greater employee confidence, efficiency and measureable improvement in health and safety compliance.