1,000 extra places up for grabs on £5.6m training scheme

THE popularity of a £5.6m scheme which offers Lancashire companies access to free workforce training has led the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) to award it 1,000 extra places.

Around 4,300 people working in Lancashire businesses have already started or completed training under Lancashire Skills Support for the Workforce (LSS), far more than the initial 3,817 places offered when the programme launched in September 2014.

When funding for the programme runs out at the end of July, it will have supported 5,125 learners in areas including team leadership, management, accounting, marketing, sales, health and social care, customer service, engineering, manufacturing, catering and hospitality.

The LSS programme has been brought together by Lancashire County Council and the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) with funding from the European Social Fund (ESF).

Firms are being urged to act quickly to secure free skills support training, provided by colleges and leading training providers in the county.

Amanda Melton, chair of the Lancashire Skills Board – part of the LEP, said: “Lancashire Skills Support has already been an enormous success, equipping the county’s businesses with the skills they need to grow. Demand remains exceptionally high for the programme and so it’s great to have been able to secure these extra places.

“However, these places are going to be filled quickly, so I would urge interested businesses to see if they are eligible at the earliest opportunity.”

LSS is particularly keen to attract businesses in the following growth sectors:

Aerospace

Advanced engineering & manufacturing

Energy, environment and low carbon

Financial and professional services

Creative and digital

Leisure, tourism and visitor economy

Health occupations

Professional, scientific and technical occupations