Having spoken to Learning and Skills Councils, Business Links and Train2Gain representatives I am keen to share my new found knowledge regarding government funding that is on offer for management development and training.

Team Leaders, Line Managers, Senior Managers through to Chief Executives can access funding throughout Sussex, Surrey, Kent and Hampshire via Train to Gain.

There are a number of sources of government funding available in the South of England for businesses to tap into. However, the reason I found very little on the web to promote this funding is because each case is treated on an individual basis. Sometimes an organisation may fit into more than one criterion and could potentially apply for funding through more than one avenue, resulting in a difference in value to the overall funding offered.

This is where your local SKILLS BROKER can advise you further. The broker will assess your business skills needs, draw up a plan and put you in touch with suitable local skills providers offering high quality, flexible training that meets the needs of your business.

If your organisation has between 10 and 5000 employees and you are looking to develop your management team you can apply for up to 60% or a maximum of £1200 per person for senior management training through the Business Leaders programme. Alternatively, for junior/middle management training, you can apply for 50% funding up to a maximum of £500 through the Employer Match Funding scheme, if you have between 1 and 5000 employees. There is also funding available for NVQs at all levels.

So, if you are looking to develop your own management skills or those of your staff I strongly recommend that you take a look at the management training services we can offer you and then contact us to find how to take this opportunity and make it work for you.

Business Leaders (4) funding finishes at the end of March 08 and BL 5 commences in April 08. I understand that even if you have received funding in the past you can still apply for BL 4. So dont delay time is of the essence if you want to secure some funding to up skill yourself and/or your workforce!

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain so call Skills South East on
0845 751 2288 and set the ball rolling!

Once you have secured your funding QED LTD can help you meet your training and development needs.