LSC unveils Merseyside training grants

THE Learning and Skills Council (LSC) in Merseyside has made an extra £4.5m available for training to help employers during the recession. 

SkillWorks funding is designed to help Merseyside’s small and medium-sized enterprises improve the skills and competitiveness of staff.

Under the scheme Skillworks provides up to 60% of the cost of training, up to a limit of £60,000. 

Links to training providers can be facilitated through Train to Gain Skills Brokers – an independent brokerage service dedicated to helping businesses get the training they need – or directly through a training provider which will then deliver the training.

The LSC said the programme, which is co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF), has already helped more than 7,300 Merseyside-based businesses.

Helen France of the LSC in Merseyside said: “The economic situation is expected to get worse and more people will be threatened with redundancy before the eventual recovery comes. During the last economic recession 20% of businesses failed nationally.

“But if the right actions are taken now, the negative impact of the recession can be minimised. In these challenging times, businesses need to keep a tight rein on costs. However, it is vital that employers continue to invest in skills.

For more information go to www.allmerseyside.net or contact Train to Gain Brokerage Service direct on 0845 00 66 888.