Commit your business to the 'Skills Pledge' says IMI
A Government initiative to support businesses in raising skills standards has been welcomed by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), which is calling on the retail motor industry to get behind the drive to improve competencies in the workforce for the benefit of both the sector and the economy.
The Skills Pledge, launched by the Skills Envoy, Sir Digby Jones, is a voluntary, public commitment by the leadership of any organisation to support all its employees in developing their basic skills where required, which could lead to a national qualification. The purpose is to ensure that all staff are skilled, competent and able to make a full contribution to the business.
Employers that make a commitment to the Skills Pledge will have access to a Skills Broker, who can assess the company's training needs and help the employer produce an action plan that will set out contributions from the state, the employer and the individual. Government funding is available through the Learning and Skills Council's Train to Gain service, to enable businesses to provide staff with the opportunity to acquire a national Level 2 qualification (equivalent to 5 GCSEs).
Having already committed the IMI to the Skills Pledge and encouraging its staff to get involved, Sarah Sillars, IMI Chief Executive, commented:
"In the same way that the Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) scheme is actively promoting and recognising the importance of technical skills and current competence, the Skills Pledge is an ideal opportunity for employers to harness expertise, support and funding to assist a business in moving forward from a holistic perspective. I would encourage company bosses to look at what's on offer and make that commitment."
The Leitch Review of Skills, published in December 2006, warned that the UK must 'raise its game' on skills at all levels if it is to sustain and improve its position in the global economy. The Skills Pledge fulfils a key recommendation made in the review, at the heart of a new 'deal' where employers will be able to shape the skills system to meet their needs, in return for prioritising skills training at all levels.
Sir Digby Jones, UK Skills Envoy, said:
"I warmly congratulate all employers who have led the way by making the Skills Pledge. By taking this step, you are showing other employers that, by investing in the skills of your people, you are investing in your business. At the same time, you are helping the UK seize the opportunity that globalisation presents, enabling us to compete in the brutally competitive world economy of the future."
For more information on the Skills Pledge, please visit www.traintogain.gov.uk or call 0800 015 5545.