Proskills UK to tackle skills shortages in print and paper industries

Businesses in the print and paper industries can now benefit from a 62m Sector Training Agreement via Proskills UK, the sector skills council (SCC) for the Process and Manufacturing Sector, which was officially launched by Lord Young, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Skills & Apprenticeships at the Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills (DIUS). The ‘Sector Compact’ is a three year non-contractual agreement between the Government, the Learning and Skills council (LSC) and Proskillls, which aims to tackle skills shortages and develop more highly skilled and qualified workers through more effective use of the ‘Train to Gain’ program, to ensure a world-class future workforce within the print and paper industries.

Through the Compact, Proskills will work in partnership with the LSC and its national network of skills brokers to assist employers within its footprint in the print and paper industries to gain access to financial assistance to support full or part funding for a range of sector-specific training requirements. These include additional level two and three NVQ qualifications, apprenticeships, management and leadership skills, as well as skills for life.

The 62million agreement is based on the expected training requirements of companies within Proskills sector over the next three years. However, Proskills is keen to point out that if employers don’t commit to skills development now and take advantage of this available funding, it will make it difficult for Proskills to lobby government on their behalf for future flexibilities and support.

In support of the Compact, and building on the existing National Skills Pledge, Proskills has also introduced its own ‘Sustainable Workforce Pledge’ and will encourage employers to sign up to the Pledge to declare their commitment to the training and development of their workforce. In return for making this pledge, Proskills will support these businesses in gaining access to this 62m training fund, which will be available through the government’s ‘Train to Gain’ program.

‘Our role at Proskills is to be the industry voice and communicate the specific training and skills development requirements that our employers really need,’ said Terry Watts, chief executive at Proskills UK. ‘I can’t stress enough how important it is that employers engage with us now to outline their industry-specific training requirements and make their pledge, so we can deliver this message to government, demonstrate our sector’s commitment to skills development, enable access to this current training fund through Train to Gain, and more importantly, safeguard future availability of funding support from government.’

As the current economic climate continues to challenge businesses in the print and paper industries, the government is taking a more proactive stance towards support for workforce training and development. This was evident in the recent announcement by the DIUS of an additional 350m training fund through the ‘Train to Gain’ program.

Jonathan Ledger, strategic program manager at Proskills, added, ‘While we fully appreciate the difficulties facing businesses today, and need to cut costs, there is actually no better time than the present to train staff. Funding is available from the government, eligibility and procedures for accessing this financial support has been made more flexible, and it’s vital that employers take this opportunity to develop their workforce now, so that they can be ready to take advantage of the upturn in the economy when it arrives.’

For further information, and to take advantage of this new skills funding, please contact Jonathan Ledger at Proskills on 01235 833 844 or email jonathan.ledger@proskills.co.uk.

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