Free staff training!

[Pappa Lurve]

Mods,

Hope this is ok, if not, please lock or delete and accept my apologies but it isn't my fault :-P. If it remains open I might put it in the business forum as not sure where it is best placed.

So quick question for you. Just started working with a company that offers training (NVQ, BTEC, Apprenticeships etc). They sort out all the Government funding for you assuming it is available and generally speaking can work with staff who have been with you for up to 8 months (no idea why, that's just the rules on funding!) or of course people who are hired new. Training is often free but does depend on a few factors, which can include location, age of candidate, size of company etc but there are a massive amount of permutations so not going into them here, plus I don't know them all but the people I am working with do!

Seems to me that it is a bit of a no brainer for even very small companies as you basically get your staff trained or a member of staff for way, way below minimum wage. So what do you lot think in terms of is it something that would, in theory, interest you? Do many of you hire apprentices or offer staff training and if not, why not?

Just want to get a feel for what you lot think as I am here looking at other markets for them to go into as they have done very well working with schools etc and some commercial clients. They are actually a pretty large player in the market but all via word of mouth and repeat business and they are looking at ways to expand.

Thanks in advance.

[Mattt]

Location may help, assume SE?

[Pappa Lurve]

Mattt said:

Location may help, assume SE?

The company can provide training anywhere depending on numbers and only about 6 are needed in an area so they have set up classes before for with staff from different employers, or at the employers locations.

Location is more important from a funding perspective. Different funding options in different areas but generally, hire someone unemployed, or someone below 25. or have existing staff of that age and there is probably either free, or very very highly subsidised training. Available for older staff too but less often. Don't know all the details yet on the funding side, and nor do I intend to! There are people here who do though but as a lot of the funding is provided by government, either European, national or local, its not something I need to know in huge depth when the staff here know it backwards!

Certainly they do that majority in the SE for now though but that is simply as the company started 7 years ago in North London and a lot of the early clients were local.