£2.1m Available to SMEs in the Tees Valley to Support Workforce Development and Training
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Small to medium-sized businesses in the Tees Valley can now access professionally delivered training courses to develop the skills of their workforce, free of cost.
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Through providing access to free training and qualifications, the Skills Support for the Workforce project aims to help eligible businesses to fill skills gaps, raise productivity, and take advantage of economic development in the region.
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An important location for UK manufacturing, the Tees Valley contributes £10 billion to the national economy. Recent major investment in innovative technologies such as subsea, biologics and energy from waste promises to see further economic development in the area.
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However with 13.1% of the local workforce having no qualifications, compared with 8% nationally, it is anticipated that skills shortages could present a challenge for employers attempting to capitalise on the economic growth. The Skills Support for the Workforce project is perfect for employers experiencing skills challenges.
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“In addition to giving access to a wide range of training courses and qualifications, this project provides businesses with expert support to identify their existing skills gaps, and to pinpoint the skills they’ll need in future to facilitate their growth plans,” explained Andrew Lewis, Managing Director of Tees Valley Combined Authority. “Accessing support through this project can improve your ability to adapt to the evolving business environment in Tees Valley, nurture a leadership team for the future and make you an employer of choice for emerging talent.”
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The project is co-financed by the European Union’s European Social Fund and the Skills Funding Agency and is available for eligible SMEs seeking non-compulsory work-based training to support their business growth plan.
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“As this training is funded with European money this is the last project of its kind,” explained Ebrahim Dockrat, Director of Calderdale College, the prime contractor for the project. “This funding is only available until July 2018 and so it’s a case of get it whilst you still can.”
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To find out if your business is eligible, visit the Skills Support for the Workforce Website, or call 0845 644 3753