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Train to Gain' event tackles economic downturn

4 February 2009

City College Brighton and Hove's City Business Skills team recently met employers from across Sussex at 'Train to Gain explained' ? an event hosted by the Learning and Skills Council and Sussex Enterprise. The event was for businesses to find out what tools they can harness to survive the current economic climate. As part of a new government initiative to enable companies to get in the best shape possible, the Learning and Skills Council has introduced new funding and flexibility for businesses through Train to Gain. With impartial, independent training advice offered from a College, skills broker or training provider, businesses can accurately identify which staff need to re-skill and up-skill through tailored training packages with support funding from Train to Gain.

The guest speaker at the event was Jason Mannix, Brighton Pier's Divisional HR Manager. The Pier currently has employees starting Train to Gain-funded NVQs delivered by City College. The qualifications are in business administration, drinks service, team leading and mechanical rides. Jason says:

Left to right: Naomi Nunan (Tourism Futures Project Manager, City College) , Jason Ma

Left to right: Naomi Nunan (Tourism Futures Project Manager, City College) , Jason Ma

'I was delighted to be invited as a guest speaker at the event because it gave me an opportunity to highlight the vital role City College has played in making our NVQ programme on Brighton Pier such a success.'

'The College really took its time to get to know my business and provided bespoke promotional material and advice. As a result we have around sixteen people currently doing NVQs, others doing apprenticeships and about seventeen doing ESOL for work with a view to doing NVQs in the future.'

Up to forty-five businesses from sole traders to medium sized companies from solicitors and financial advisors to hotels, landscape contractors and childcare providers attended the business briefing. They learnt about how Train to Gain can provide training in business-critical areas such as business improvement, team working and communications, sales and marketing, IT, customer service, cash flow and profit management and risk management.

Tony Allen, Regional Train to Gain Director, says:

'Research shows that businesses that do not train their workforce are 2.5 times more likely to fail than those that do, so it is vital that employers continue to invest in skills. The new Train to Gain Flexibilities programme gives companies and employees a wide range of applicable skills that make them more productive and motivated.'

For media enquiries, please call Brian Bell, Marketing Communications Officer, on 01273 667788 Ext. 488 or email bb1@ccb.ac.uk

About City College Brighton and Hove: Situated in the heart of Brighton, City College Brighton and Hove has become an international centre of vocational excellence. Every year 2,000 full-time, 10,000 part time, over 500 Higher Education and 250 14-16 year old students as well as many international and European students choose City College as their place of further and higher education training. In addition, the College provides training to over 2,000 businesses via its 'City Business Skills' department which focuses on employer training needs. Offering over 700 courses from basic level right through to business and postgraduate training, City College is working with its partners to develop the workforce of the future.