Why is training important?
Training could be the difference between the success or failure of your business. People are your most important resource and it is important to get the best from them. It can be expensive and the returns are sometimes difficult to measure. However, providing an environment in which everyone is constantly learning and applying that learning to bring about improvements will help create a more dynamic and competitive business. Training and developing your staff will help you keep them longer and keep them motivated, challenged and innovative.
Offering training opportunities can also be seen as an incentive when recruiting and in a competitive market make it easier to attract your ideal employee.
To find out more about training and the benefits it can bring to your business contact your local Enterprise Agency, Business Link or Chamber of Commerce.
Are there any local sources of help with training for my business?
Yes, and your local Enterprise Agency or Business Link will be able to give you information on training opportunities in your area. Other useful contacts include:
- Learning and Skills Council for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
The Learning and Skills Council is a useful source of advice and assistance with training. They provide information on the different services available in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to help you train and develop your staff and link in with local learning and training opportunities. Furthermore, they will help you identify your training needs and design a training plan free of charge. You may also qualify for a subsidy towards the cost of implementation, tel: 08450 194 182, website:www.hampshire-iow-lsc.org.uk
- Link2Learn
Link2Learn is a partnership of learning organisations providing a new free service to companies in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Offering on-line information on training opportunities and specialist advisers, this service can help your employees improve their knowledge and skills. There are numerous advice points in colleges, libraries etc and the information and advice workers operate on an area basis. A free information pack is also available, tel: 01329 227537, website: www.link2learn.co.uk.
- Learndirect
Learndirect offers flexible on-line courses ranging from e-commerce to marketing, designed with today's businesses in mind. Providing flexible learning packages on specific essential business and IT, Learndirect can help you with your immediate training needs, tel: 0800 150 750, website: www.learndirect.co.uk
- Southampton and Fareham Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The Chamber of Commerce provides a range of training courses from personal and managerial development to business specialisms and HR consultancy. The training and development team also provide in-company training and support, help with identifying training needs and tailored training programmes, tel: 023 8022 3541,email:[email protected], website: www.soton-chamber.co.uk
- Southampton City Council
The City Council has a portfolio of training services designed to meet the needs of the local business community.
Contact Southampton Information Technology Centre (ITeC), tel: 023 8063 8966, website: www.sitec.org.uk
Southampton City Training
Tel: 023 8022 9222, website: www.sotonct.co.uk
To find out more visit the topic area - City Council Support for Business
Where can I get help with IT training for my staff?
Southampton Information Technology Centre (ITeC)
ITeC is an IT training centre affiliated to Southampton City Council. Southampton ITeC offers various IT training courses in the most widely used Microsoft software packages such as Word, Excel, Access etc.
The new iTomorrow project can help your business make more effective use of information and communication technologies providing advice, support and assistance towards the costs of consultancy and training staff, tel: 023 8063 8966 for IT training courses and 023 8082 1861 for iTomorrow information, website: www.sitec.org.uk
To find out more visit the topic area - City Council Support for Business.
Learndirect
If you are looking for on-line training, Learndirect run a wide variety of on-line courses to improve business IT skills. As long as your business has internet access, your staff can use the courses to learn on-line without leaving your work premises. For details of courses available, tel: 0800 150 750, website: www.learndirect.co.uk
Your local Chamber of Commerce, Business Link or Enterprise Agency will be able to offer information and advice on other opportunities for IT training in the area.
Is there any financial support available to my business for training?
Yes, your business may eligible for a Small Firms training loan. This is a loan of between �500-�125,000 which is available for vocational training to small businesses employing no more than 50 staff. Businesses must be sole traders, limited companies, franchises or co-operatives. The funding is provided by way of commercial bank loans offered through High Street banks. Repayments do not have to be made for up to 12 months and the government will pay the interest during this time.
For more information visit the Lifelong Learning website www.lifelonglearning.co.uk. The Department of Trade and Industry's 'UK Online for Business' service can help your business to exploit the business benefits of IT. You can contact your nearest UK online business advisers on tel: 0845 715 200, website: www.ukonlineforbusiness.gov.uk.
Your local Enterprise Agency or Business Link adviser will be able to provide advice on any other sources of funding that may be available in your area.