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Working with employers

Employer Engagement

The Government is promoting the employability of adults through the Employer Engagement initiative and has pledged support for adults to gain their first Level 2 qualification. In some cases, where an employer requires this as a minimum level of competence and the learner has no prior Level 2 certificate, support may be extended to Level 3. However, employers are expected to pay in full for most Level 3 awards. The impact of this is not yet clear, but it may lead to increased demand from employers for a better service. Providers will need to be flexible and responsive to the needs of employers.

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Train to Gain

This initiative to support existing employees to gain their first Level 2 qualification is being developed from Employer Training Pilots and rolled out nationally by the LSC. There is funding in place to encourage employers to take advantage of this training. As in the Employer Engagement programme, in some circumstances the scheme may be extended to Level 3 qualifications where this is a sector requirement.

Find out more from Train to Gain

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Sector Skills Councils (SSCs)

SSCs are employer-led, independent organisations that cover specific sectors across the UK. They have replaced the former National Training Organisations. Their four key goals are:

  • to reduce skills gaps and shortages
  • to improve productivity, business and public service performance
  • to increase opportunities to boost the skills and productivity of everyone in the sector’s workforce
  • to improve learning supply including apprenticeships, higher education and National Occupational Standards.

The SSC for the further education system is Lifelong Learning UK.

Find out more from the Sector Skills Development Agency.

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