Funding information

Navigating the funding system

Sector employers often find the qualification and funding system overly complicated. Our research has found that only seven percent of employers had accessed government funding. The key reason for not accessing funding is that employers did not know where to access funding or had given up because of perceived bureaucracy. The larger the employer, the more likely they will have accessed funding.

It’s life Jim, but not as we know it!

The funding system is notoriously complicated. In many respects that is understandable given there is only a finite amount of money the Government has to spend, that funding agencies need to guarantee value for money and that funding should go to various priority areas.

Funding differs across the four home nations and often there are variations across English regions. It also depends on the age and previous qualifications of the learner. Funding is also made available to meet specific sector priorities.

Making the case for qualifications and how funding can help

Whilst most sector employers train their staff, only a fraction of this training leads to a qualification. Qualifications are important when it comes to funding, because qualifications are normally the output that triggers funding.

Qualifications shouldn’t be the only reason to consider offering qualifications. Our research shows that employers offering qualifications are more likely to retain their staff, see real returns on the upfront investment and see an increase in sales over and above similar staff not offered qualifications. Funding can also help smaller employers with their training investment.

How the Good Qualifications Guide can help

The Good Qualifications Guide cuts through the complexity and offers straight forward advice on whether each specific qualification is fundable and what likely contribution the employer may have to make. It also outlines the next steps to take.

In England, the Train to Gain Compact brokered between People1st and Government aims to ensure that Train to Gain (the brand in which all workbased qualifications are delivered) is more relevant to the sector. The Compact aims to ensure that specific qualifications that aim to address skills priorities are easier for people to access and that the Brokers tasked to advise employers on their needs and find the right solutions have a much better understanding of the sector and what employers want.

To discuss funding further call our support line on 01895 817 007

Subsidised Leadership and Management Training for businesses in England

Small to medium-sized businesses in hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism within England can tap into subsidised leadership and management training including programmes from Stonebow, People 1st’s training company.

Under the Train to Gain scheme, businesses with five to 249 employees can obtain £1,000 per organisation to develop a director or senior manager - which can lead to a qualification although not mandatory - and benefit from an in-depth skills analysis. Up to £500 is fully funded and a further £500 is available if it is matched pound for pound by the company.

Stonebow programmes that are eligible under the scheme amongst others include:

‘FranklinCovey; The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’– the programme, delivered by Stonebow in partnership with FranklinCovey, uses specific examples from the hospitality industry, to help individuals and leaders yield greater productivity, improved communication, strengthened relationships, increased influence and a focus on critical priorities.

Accelerated Behavioural Change (ABC) for Managers – a brand new three day programme for managers that enables them, through applying psychology tools and techniques including neuro-linguistic programming, transactional analysis and emotional intelligence, to gain the knowledge, skills and time to explore how they can better manage themselves and others in an engaging, aligned and productive way.

People 1st’s sector compact manager, Chris Jefferies, has helped many small to medium-sized businesses to secure funded training including Patara Fine Thai Cuisine, a Thailand-based firm that operates globally with several restaurant chains, a speciality foods import operation and bakery. The firm is growing the restaurant side of its business in the UK, and is using its experienced managers and staff to launch its new outlets and train new staff.

As each of Patara’s four restaurants qualified for funding under the Leadership and Management programme, a bespoke programme was tailored to the specific needs of managers. This included business finance, presentation skills, public speaking, coaching and ‘train the trainer’ sessions.

Although the bespoke management training and NVQs are still ongoing, short courses have had an immediate impact on the business, providing managers with the skills and room they need to grow as the company expands.

For further details on management and leadership funding, contact Chris Jefferies on 07990 614717, or email chris.jefferies@people1st.co.uk