With training budgets under increasing pressure we wanted to let you know about the government-funded initiative Train To Gain.

It’s a scheme where your learning programme can be funded up to a maximum contribution of £1000. So what’s involved?

Firstly, the offer is open to companies with 2 – 249 staff. Owner managers and company directors have a great opportunity to apply for funding to help develop business leadership and management skills.

• Your learning programme can be funded up to a maximum contribution of £1000.
• The first £500 is available to managing directors, owner managers, and company directors and does not need to be matched.
• A further grant of up to £500, which must be matched funded, is available to any senior manager or the management team.

This money can be put towards one or a combination of training solutions to benefit you and your business. For example: 

• Solutions provided by training providers
• Workshops
• Online training
• Training programmes 
• Bespoke/tailored training options
• Peer learning
• Business mentoring/coaching, where the mentor/coach has the appropriate accreditation or membership of a professional association.

(All training must have started and the grant claimed within 90 days of the grant being approved. All grants are exclusive of VAT. Previous beneficiaries of Business Leader funding are not eligible to apply).

Can I access Train to Gain via a college or training provider, rather than using a skills broker?
Yes you can use any college or training provider; you may already have an established relationship with a training provider or maybe there is a training provider that is local to your business that you would like to use.

Earlier this year one of our clients applied to their regional Train To Gain broker and received the maximum contribution for workshops we delivered on Managing Your Staff, Effective Coaching, Leading Your Team, and Constructive Feedback. Many other topics come under management and leadership skills (such as train the trainer) so it's worth asking your regional office if you're not sure.

How do I contact my regional office?
North East                        0191 492 6390
North West                       0845 6020062
Yorkshire & Humberside    0845 833 7000
East Midlands                  0845 057 1817
West Midlands                 0800 075 4557
East of England                0800 387326
London                             0800 634 5962
outh East                          0845 751 2288
outh West                         0845 604 7047

In these tougher economic times it’s certainly worth exploring all the options and we hope you can benefit from the Train to Gain scheme