Dear Alan
To help you get started I have listed the two places that provide help and guidance.
The help for training is mainly from one source, Investors in People. I cannot be specific on what is available because any support is assessed on an individual company basis.
In the 2002 budget the chancellor set aside £30 millions to be used for a ‘Small Firms Initiative’. 'To pass through Go' the following criteria must be met:
- Based in England
- Have between 5 and 49 employees
- Not a public funded organisation.
You then have to contact Investors in People to see if you are eligible for support.
If you go to the Investors in People website www.iipuk.co.uk you will not only find information but also an on-line application form for a free consultation this is where you start. Look at the section ‘People Make the Bottom Line’.
Also look at the Skills for Employers website www.dfes.gov.uk where you will find other helpful information.
It is important to remember that the government bodies take the view, that by investing in people through formal and effective training, an organisation will improve its competitiveness and profitability. Therefore, what you will almost certainly find, is that any help forthcoming will be in the form of free consultation and some support for planned, organised, managed and monitored training. Also bear in mind that help is not a right or comes automatically, so make sure you have your specific needs well specified.
