Whether you are employing new people or helping existing employees develop their skills, there is a range of services and guidance that can help you.

To ensure that the education system provides you with employees who have the right skills, qualifications and experience, the Government is keen for employers to get involved in educational reforms.

Identifying the skills your workforce needs
Occupational standards define the skills, knowledge and experience needed to undertake a particular task or job to a nationally recognised level of competence.

There is a list of these standards available at the national occupational standards directory.

Occupational standards are maintained by Sector Skills Councils (SSCs), which represent different industries within the education system and provide means through which employers can influence qualifications and training. To find out which SSC represents your industry, visit the Skills for Business website.

The Key Skills Support Programme also offers guidance to employers understand and develop their employees’ key skills and how to develop them through work-based learning programmes.

Guidance on recruitment processes
Jobcentre Plus' sole purpose is to help employers find the right people for their businesses. It provides useful information and guidance about recruiting.

Jobcentre Plus is part of European Employment Services (EURES). This lets people across the recently expanded European Union see your job vacancy. Freedom to work across the European Union (EU) means there is now a greater number of potential recruits for you to choose from.

Employer Direct Online is a free online service that Jobcentre Plus offers to employers who are looking for people to employ.

Business Link offers a range of effective recruitment guidance for employers. Business Link can also direct you to further support and funding for the recruitment process.

Depending on your business needs, you may wish to speak to a private recruitment agency that deals with employing people in your sector. Business Link provides guidance on how to find a suitable recruitment agency.

If you’d rather talk to someone, Local Business Link operators can be contacted on the telephone helpline: 0945 600 9006.

Guidance on the best recruitment and selection methods can be found by using the Investors in People Recruitment and Selection Model. Specialist Advisers are available to help employers use the Model.

To learn more about the Investors in People Recruitment and Selection Model and to contact an Adviser, visit www.investorsinpeople.co.uk.

Ensuring the workforce has the right skills and experience
Employers have an opportunity to make sure their current and future workforce has the right skills and experience.

Employers can do this by letting the Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) know what they need. SSCs represent different industries and provide employers with a forum for influencing the way skills and qualifications are developed and delivered in each sector.

To find out which SSC represents your industry sector, and to get involved, visit: www.skillsforbusiness.biz.

Train to Gain advises on suitable training programmes for employees. Train to Gain Skills Brokers provide a free and impartial assessment to identify what skills you or your employees need to develop in order to meet your business requirements.

Skills Brokers can also help you arrange training and will ensure you get the best deal.

Skills Brokers operate regionally throughout England. To be put in touch with a Skills Broker in your region, phone 08000 15 55 45.

The Train to Gain website also provides contact information for Skills Brokers.

Investors in People provides a business improvement tool that looks at employee development and learning. There is a network of specialist Advisers who can help employers get the most from Investors in People.

To learn more about Investors in People and to contact and Adviser, visit www.investorsinpeople.co.uk.

How can I tell the difference between qualifications and skills levels when recruiting or employing people.

Qualifications and skills explained
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) provides some general information that can help you understand the different levels and types of educational qualifications (both academic and vocational) and skills (basic, functional and key) in the UK.

QCA also has information on industry sector qualifications, as well as a database of accredited qualifications.

The Key Skills Support Programme offers employers guidance on understanding their employees’ key skills and how to develop them through work-based learning programmes.

The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) has an employer guide to help explain higher level qualifications such as foundation degrees.

The different stages of the education system
Key stages in education, up to age 16, are detailed on the Standards Site.

General advice
The Business Link website provides practical advice and guidance for businesses on matters related to employing people.

Occupational standards are another set of tools that can be used to define the skills, knowledge and experience needed to undertake a particular task or job to a nationally recognised level of competence.

To view a list of these standards, access the national occupational standards directory.

The system of different qualifications and skills levels for school leavers of different ages is complicated, but the following sources of information can help explain it.

Identifying the skills and qualifications needed
You can use occupational standards as a tool to define the skills, knowledge and experience needed to undertake a particular task or job to a nationally recognised level of competence.

To view a list of these standards, you can access the national occupational standards directory.

Qualifications and skills explained
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) provides some general information that can help you understand the different levels and types of educational qualifications (both academic and vocational) and skills (basic, functional and key) in the UK.

QCA also holds information on qualifications for industry sectors, as well as a database of accredited qualifications.

The Key Skills Support Programme offers guidance to employers on understanding their employees’ key skills and how to develop them through work-based learning programmes.

The different stages of the education system
Key stages in education, up to age 16, are detailed on the standards site.

Guidance on employing young people
Detailed guidance for businesses employing young people is available on the Business Link website.

A university graduate will hold a higher education qualification, of which there are different levels and types. Employing a graduate may suit your business if any of your operations require a high level of expertise and specific skills.

The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) provides an outline for employers on what the different higher education subject qualifications mean in terms of a graduate’s skills.

Education and skills in the UK are being developed to better meet the needs of employers, to ensure that young people and adults are prepared for the world of work, and that everyone has a basic level of employability.

Skills for Productivity summarises how the Government is working with employers to ensure that the workforce has skills useful for an employer. It can be ordered for free by telephoning 0845 602 2260 or downloaded from the website.

The Government is working with employers to tackle gaps in employee skills as part of its national skills agenda. You can find information on the national skills agenda on the Skills Strategy website.

Employers can influence how education and skills are obtained by getting involved with Sector Skills Councils (SSCs).

SSCs represent employers when qualifications are developed, ensuring that they genuinely meet business needs. SSCs are part of the Skills for Business network, which represents business needs and is responsible for improving skills and productivity in the UK.

To find out which SSC represents your industry, and to get in touch, visit: www.skillsforbusiness.biz.

Design and Delivery of Qualifications, Skills and Training
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) is developing a skills framework – a core of personal, employer related, learning and thinking skills. These core skills will be integrated into the national curriculum. QCA is also working to ensure that all young people and adults develop the skills essential for work and life, particularly in English, maths and information communications technology (ICT).

Skills for Life is an initiative which aims to help create a society where adults (people over the age of 16) have the literacy, language and numeracy skills they need to find and keep work and participate fully in society. This initiative has developed an Employer Toolkit which addresses Skills for Life in the workplace. You can read about this on the Skills for Life website.

Train to Gain is a service that helps employers meet their employee skills needs, shortages and gaps through workforce training. It offers fully subsidised training for low-skilled employees to ensure they have the basic skills needed for employability. The qualifications needed for this are known as level 2, which is equivalent to a good grade at GCSE.

You can read about this free service at: www.traintogain.gov.uk.

Funding for basic employability
The Government is offering free tuition to any adult who does not have a full level 2 qualification and who wishes to achieve one. Level 2 is the level of skills required in many jobs (equivalent to a good grade at GCSE). Having a level 2 qualification is also a way into gaining higher levels of qualification. The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) outlines what a level 2 qualification means on its website.

For many sectors, the level 3 qualifications are important for employees to hold. A new entitlement to free tuition and support to help 19–25 year-olds achieve their first full level 3 qualification is being introduced in 2007 or 2008. Further information can be found at: www.successforall.gov.uk.

There are services and tools on offer to help you assess what skills your employees need to develop, and to help you identify and plan the right training.

Train to Gain Skills Brokers provide a free and impartial assessment to identify which skills you or your employees need to develop in order to meet your business requirements.

Skills Brokers can also help you arrange necessary training (from basic skills to higher level training) and provide information about possible sources of funding to help you with training costs.

Skills Brokers operate regionally throughout England. To be put in touch with a Skills Broker in your region, phone 08000 15 55 45.

The Train to Gain website also provides contact information for Skills Brokers.

Organisations providing services, tools and guidance on finding the right training
Business Link is an online service that provides guidance to employers on skills and training, including specific advice on how to:

• create a personal development plan;
• evaluate your training;
• fit training to your needs;
• set up in-house training;
• find a suitable training provider

The Skills for Life initiative aims to help create a society where adults (people over the age of 16) have the literacy, language and numeracy skills they need to find and keep work and participate fully in society. This initiative has developed an Employer Toolkit which helps with Skills for Life in the workplace. Details of how to order a free copy can be found here: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/readwriteplus/employer_toolkit

A business development tool to help with employee development and learning can be found at the Investors in People website. There is a network of Investors in People specialist Advisers to help employers use this tool.

To learn more about Investors in People and to contact and Adviser, visit www.investorsinpeople.co.uk.

Your Regional Development Agency can put you in touch with local business support and advice.

You can find out which is your local Regional Development Agency and how to contact them at: www.englandsrdas.com.

Unions and professional associations

These bodies are likely to be able to provide advice on, and possibly deliver, appropriate training to suit your business needs.

Union learning representatives (ULRs) can work with employers to help create learning opportunities at work. unionlearn is a service that builds on the workplace training currently run by trade unions, providing guidance on training for employers and employees. Courses range from basic skills to higher level qualifications and are run at colleges, universities and workplaces. For example, ULRs supported by unionlearn have been able to persuade education providers to run bespoke courses tailored to shift patterns.

To find out more about the support and advice offered, talk to the recognised trade unions in your workplace, or visit: www.unionlearn.org.uk/initiatives.

A skills assessment can help you identify what training you or your employees need. There are services and tools to help with this.

The main benefit training brings to your business is increased productivity of your employees, leading to the increased productivity and competitiveness of your business.

Train to Gain Skills Brokers provide a free and impartial assessment to identify what skills you or your employees need to develop in order to meet your business requirements.

Skills Brokers can also help you arrange necessary training (from basic skills to higher level training) and can review how your training is progressing, as well as provide support to you throughout the training process.

Skills Brokers operate regionally throughout England. To be put in touch with a Skills Broker in your region phone 08000 15 55 45.

The Train to Gain website also provides contact information for Skills Brokers.

Investors in People offers a free problem-solving tool that helps employers identify areas within their business that stops employee development and learning. To learn more about this free problem-solving tool visit: www.investorsinpeople.co.uk.

Other services, tools and guidance to help identify training needs
Occupational standards describe the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to undertake a particular task or job to a nationally recognised level of competence.

You can use these standards as a tool to identify a skills gap or shortage within your business.

To view a list of these standards, you can access the national occupational standards directory: www.ukstandards.org.

The Key Skills Support Programme offers guidance to employers on understanding their employees’ key skills and how to develop them through work-based learning programmes.

The Skills for Life initiative aims to help create a society where adults (over the age of 16) have the literacy, language and numeracy skills they need to find and keep work and participate fully in society. This initiative has developed a free Employer Toolkit which helps with Skills for Life in the workplace. Details of how to order a free copy can be found here: www.dfes.gov.uk/readwriteplus/employer_toolkit.

Business Link provides guidance on finding training to fit your business needs, plus how to evaluate this training.

Train to Gain Skills Brokers provide a free and impartial assessment to identify what training will suit your employees and can help you arrange that training (ranging from basic skills to higher level training).

Skills Brokers can also provide information about possible sources of funding to help you with the cost of training.

Skills Brokers operate regionally throughout England. To be put in touch with a Skills Broker in your region, phone 08000 15 55 45.

The Train to Gain website also provides contact information for Skills Brokers.

Other services to help you set up a varied training programme

A business development tool to help with employee development and learning can be found at the Investors in People website. There is a network of Investors in People specialist Advisers to help employers use this tool.
To learn more about Investors in People and to contact and Adviser, visit www.investorsinpeople.co.uk

Union learning representatives (ULRs) can work with employers to help create learning opportunities at work. unionlearn is a service that builds on the workplace training currently run by trade unions, providing guidance on training for employers and employees. Courses range from basic skills to higher level qualifications and are run at colleges, universities and workplaces. For example, ULRs supported by unionlearn have been able to persuade education providers to run bespoke courses tailored to shift patterns.

To find out more about the support and advice offered, talk to the recognised trade unions in your workplace, or visit: http://www.unionlearn.org.uk/initiatives/index.cfm

Business Link’s online service provides guidance on how to carry out a training needs assessment and how to fit training to your needs.

Train to Gain Skills Brokers can provide free and impartial advice and help you find an appropriate training provider in your area to suit your training needs (from basic skills to higher level training).

Skills Brokers can also provide information about possible sources of funding to help you with the cost of training.

Skills Brokers operate regionally throughout England. To be put in touch with a Skills Broker in your region, phone 08000 15 55 45.

The Train to Gain website also provides contact information for Skills Brokers.

Other services, tools and guidance to help you find a suitable training provider
A business development tool to help with employee development and learning can be found at the Investors in People website. There is a network of Investors in People specialist Advisers to help employers use this tool.
To learn more about Investors in People and to contact and Adviser, visit www.investorsinpeople.co.uk.

Business Link’s online service provides guidance on what to look for in a training provider and how to find one.

Your local Learning and Skills Council (LSC) holds information on training providers in your area.

You can find advice on how to find a suitable training provider in your area at: www.lsc.gov.uk.

Train to Gain Skills Brokers provide a free and impartial assessment to identify what training will suit your employees. They can help you arrange basic skills to higher level training.

Skills Brokers can also provide information about possible sources of funding to help you with the cost of training.

Skills Brokers operate regionally throughout England. To be put in touch with a Skills Broker in your region, phone 08000 15 55 45.

The Train to Gain website also provides contact information for Skills Brokers.

Investors in People has identified a number of exemplary Investor in People Champions. These champion organisations are willing to share their experiences and advise other organisations on a one-to-one basis.

To learn more about the Investors in People Champions, visit www.investorsinpeople.co.uk.

European Union (EU) Programmes arrange work-based training, work experience placements and exchanges in EU countries.

Trainees can receive EU funding to cover travel, insurance costs, a basic subsistence allowance and a small contribution towards preparation for the placement.

Exchanges are opportunities for employees from industry or training environments to visit similar organisations and exchange ideas and experiences. They are open to anyone involved in the design or delivery of vocational guidance and training, including human resource managers and language specialists in business. You can read about their programmes at: ec.europa.eu/education/programmes

The EU Lifelong Learning Programme helps employees attain the skills that businesses need to compete in a global marketplace, such as language skills and experience of different countries’ working methods.

Businesses can benefit from establishing new contacts in Europe and can keep up-to-date with current areas of training.

The various programmes are listed on the European Commission website.

The Global Gateway outlines some of the ways in which businesses can involve their employees in international learning and development opportunities that extend beyond the EU.

The Global Gateway also shows the main benefits your business and employees will gain from getting involved in international learning and development opportunities.

There is advice to help you find and produce the right training for your employees.

Train to Gain Skills Brokers provide free and impartial advice to help you find a good training course (from basic skills to higher level training).

Skills Brokers can also provide information about possible sources of funding to help you with the cost of training.

Skills Brokers operate regionally throughout England. To be put in touch with a Skills Broker in your region, phone 08000 15 55 45.

The Train to Gain website also provides contact information for Skills Brokers.

http://www.traintogain.gov.uk/what_is_train_to_gain/index.html

Other services, tools and guidance to help you find the right course or training
Business Link’s online service provides guidance on what to look for in a training provider and how to find one. It also provides guidance on setting up different types of training.

Your local Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has information on training providers in your area. If you know what training your employees need, find a suitable training provider in your area by visiting the LSC website.

Union learning representatives (ULRs) can work with employers to help create learning opportunities at work. unionlearn is a service that builds on the workplace training currently run by trade unions, providing guidance on training for employers and employees. Courses range from basic skills to higher level qualifications and are run at colleges, universities and workplaces. For example, ULRs supported by unionlearn have been able to persuade education providers to run bespoke courses tailored to shift patterns.

To find out more about the support and advice offered, talk to the recognised trade unions in your workplace, or visit: http://www.unionlearn.org.uk/initiatives/index.cfm

learndirect for business can be used to provide learning and training opportunities for employees. It has a range of training options for businesses of all sizes.
Ufi delivers this training - it works with Sector Skills Councils and a range of businesses to address specific business needs.

The Key Skills Support Programme offers guidance to employers on understanding their employees’ key skills and how to develop them through work-based learning programmes.

The Skills for Life initiative has produced a free toolkit for employers, Skills for Life: Make it your business, to help improve literacy, language and numeracy skills in the workplace. You can read about this free toolkit and how to order it at: www.dfes.gov.uk/readwriteplus/employer_toolkit.

Train to Gain Skills Brokers provide free and impartial advice to help you find a good training course (from basic skills to higher level training).

Skills Brokers can also provide information about possible sources of funding to help you with the cost of training.

Skills Brokers operate regionally throughout England. To be put in touch with a Skills Broker in your region, phone 08000 15 55 45.

The Train to Gain website also provides contact information for Skills Brokers.

Other services, tools and guidance to help you find the right course or training
Business Link’s online service provides guidance on what to look for in a training provider and how to find one. It also provides guidance on setting up different types of training.

Your local Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has information on training providers in your area. If you know what training your employees need, find a suitable training provider in your area by visiting the LSC website.

Union learning representatives (ULRs) can work with employers to help create learning opportunities at work. unionlearn is a service that builds on the workplace training currently run by trade unions, providing guidance on training for employers and employees. Courses range from basic skills to higher level qualifications and are run at colleges, universities and workplaces. For example, ULRs supported by unionlearn have been able to persuade education providers to run bespoke courses tailored to shift patterns.

To find out more about the support and advice offered, talk to the recognised trade unions in your workplace, or visit: http://www.unionlearn.org.uk/initiatives/index.cfm.

learndirect for business can be used to provide learning and training opportunities for employees. It has a range of training options for businesses of all sizes.
Ufi delivers this training - it works with Sector Skills Councils and a range of businesses to address specific business needs.

Train to Gain Skills Brokers provide free and impartial advice and can help you arrange courses and training.

Skills Brokers can also provide information about possible sources of funding to help you with the cost of training.

Skills Brokers operate regionally throughout England. To be put in touch with a Skills Broker in your region, phone 08000 15 55 45.

The Train to Gain website also provides contact information for Skills Brokers.

e-Course providers
learndirect for business offers a range of online and DVD-ROM based courses and training, known as e-courses. There are e-courses for businesses, ranging from information communications technology (ICT) and business skills to customer service and UK legal compliance. Ufi is the organisation responsible for the operation of the learndirect service. It works with a range of employers from all sectors to address specific business needs.
You can access these courses through their website.

Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) offers a range of free e-learning courses for employers on employment and employee management-related issues. Their regional offices operate throughout the UK, excluding Northern Ireland.

You can register for a free e-learning course online at: www.acas.org.uk/elearning

The Directgov e-learning webpage outlines e-learning options for individuals, including some free courses.

Train to Gain Skills Brokers provide free and impartial advice and can help you arrange courses and training.

Skills Brokers can also provide information about possible sources of funding to help you with the cost of training.

Skills Brokers operate regionally throughout England. To be put in touch with a Skills Broker in your region, phone 08000 15 55 45.

The Train to Gain website also provides contact information for Skills Brokers.

Learning through Work could be an option for employers who would like a tailored programme of higher level learning for a group of employees.

Learning through Work is a new concept from learndirect that enables people who work to achieve recognised university qualifications – without taking time off.

Foundation degrees are one option if you need to develop your existing workforce's higher level skills.

Foundation degrees are an intermediate level degree (just below honours degree level) and are intended to provide students with the knowledge, understanding and skills that employers need.

Employers can design their own degree in partnership with a further or higher education institution, and the degree can be delivered at your workplace as long as it is validated by a higher education institution.

The employers' section on the foundation degrees website provides you with more information.

Foundation Degree Forward outlines how businesses can get involved in designing and delivering foundation degrees to suit their business needs.

Train to Gain Skills Brokers provide free and impartial advice and can help you arrange courses and training.

Skills Brokers can also provide information about possible sources of funding to help you with the cost of training.

Skills Brokers operate regionally throughout England. To be put in touch with a Skills Broker in your region, phone 08000 15 55 45.

The Train to Gain website also provides contact information for Skills Brokers.

Business Link’s online service provides guidance on how to develop management teams as well as on skills and training for directors and owners of businesses.

Business Link has a tool to help businesses determine the key regulations and licences that apply to specific business categories.

This tool also lists the key trade bodies with expertise in your area of business. They may be able to provide advice on skills or training needed to comply with regulation.

Train to Gain Skills Brokers provide free and impartial advice and can help you arrange courses and training.

Skills Brokers can also provide information about possible sources of funding to help you with the cost of training.

Skills Brokers operate regionally throughout England. To be put in touch with a Skills Broker in your region, phone 08000 15 55 45.

The Train to Gain website also provides contact information for Skills Brokers.

European Union (EU) Programmes arrange work experience placements that help with language learning and cultural awareness. Employees in the host organisation also benefit from working and training alongside a native speaker of another language.

The Global Gateway outlines some of the ways in which businesses can involve their employees in international learning and development opportunities that extend beyond the EU.

There is some funding available to help with training costs. There is also guidance on how to match the training for your employees and your business against the actual cost of training. For example, you may be able to get financial help from your Regional Development Agency or local Learning and Skills Council (LSC).

As well as financial costs for the training, there may also be costs for your business in terms of your employees’ time and resources. Overall costs depend on the type of training your employees require.

Train to Gain Skills Brokers can help you arrange training (from basic skills to higher level training) as well as assess how much this training will cost and how great the return on your investment might be.

Skills Brokers can also recommend the best ways of funding your training and explain all the funding options available to you.

Skills Brokers operate regionally throughout England. To be put in touch with a Skills Broker in your region, phone 08000 15 55 45.

The Train to Gain website also provides contact information for Skills Brokers.

Costs vary between training providers, and are only one of the criteria involved when choosing a suitable provider.

Your local Learning and Skills Council (LSC) holds information on training providers in your area.

Sources of funding available for training
Government funding: the Government is offering free tuition to any adult who does not have a full level 2 qualification and wishes to achieve one. Level 2 is the level of skills required in many jobs. A level 2 qualification is also a route into gaining higher levels of qualification. The LSC outlines the level 2 entitlement on its website.

For many sectors, the level 3 qualifications are important for employees to hold. A new entitlement to free tuition and support to help 19–25 year-olds achieve their first full level 3 qualification is being introduced in 2007 or 2008. Further information can be found at: www.successforall.gov.uk

Some Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) are able to help with the cost of training. Contact your SSC to find out whether they offer funding, to find out which SSC represents your industry, and to get in touch through the Skills for Business network. www.skillsforbusiness.biz

The National Employer Service offers funding to large, multi-site employers for work-based learning programmes.

To find out about the types of learning programme on offer and to see if you are eligible for funding, visit: nes.lsc.gov.uk.

European Union (EU) Programmes offer some funding to businesses and employees. Any public, semi-public or private organisation can apply for EU funding – individuals cannot apply directly. All applications must involve a partnership with at least one other European organisation. Detailed information can be found on the European Commission website.

The Global Gateway outlines the funding available for businesses taking part in EU or international programmes.

Funding for an individual’s training
Employees who are looking to undertake a course may be eligible for funding from the Government, for example a Career Development Loan, if your business is unable to cover the cost.

The section for adult learners on the Directgov website can help your employees find out if they are eligible for funding.

Employees who are studying for a foundation degree should look at the Financing your degree section of the foundation degree website to find out whether they are eligible for funding from the Government.

Getting involved in the delivery and assessment of your employees’ training and development helps ensure that training programmes meet your objectives from the start.

Train to Gain Skills Brokers can review how your training is progressing and provide support throughout the training process, ensuring you get the best value for money from your investment.

Skills Brokers operate regionally throughout England. To be put in touch with a Skills Broker in your region, phone 08000 15 55 45.

The Train to Gain website also provides more information.

A network of Investors in People specialist Advisers can help employers get the most from Investors in People and provide simple advice on how to approach any training review and evaluation.

Investors in People has identified a number of exemplary Investor in People Champions. These champion organisations are willing to share their experiences and advise other organisations on a one-to-one basis.

To learn more about the Investors in People Champions, visit www.investorsinpeople.co.uk.