Investors in People has worked with employers for the last 15 years to help them drive productivity by putting people development at the core of their business. The Skills Pledge represents one way in which employers can grow their business by up skilling their people. We encourage all UK employers to look at how the Skills Pledge can benefit their organisations as part of a broader business strategy, with an emphasis on corporate social responsibility, which will enable them to reap the bottom line benefits of investing in people development.
The Skills Pledge is a voluntary public commitment by the head of an organisation (Chief Executive/Managing Director or equivalent) to enable all employees to develop their skills to at minimum of Level 2 qualification. It is open to all employers of all sizes in private, public and voluntary sectors. The purpose is to ensure that all employees are skilled, competent and able to make a full contribution to the success of their organisation. For those employees who do not already have a first Level 2 qualification, the Government will provide funding to help them gain Literacy and Numeracy skills as well as their first Level 2 qualification.
Why is the Skills Pledge important?
For UK business to compete with rapidly emerging economies such as India and China it will have to invest more in skills (as set out in the Leitch Report published Dec 06) to ensure that all employees in the UK are skilled, competent and able to make a full contribution to the success of their organisation.
What is Investors in People’s involvement?
Investors in People’s remit is to improve the productivity of the UK’s workforce through the Investors in People Standard and believes a holistic view of business including a focus on skills is crucial to business success. Investors in People supports the Skills Pledge and the beneficial effect that it will have on the bottom line of UK PLC. Investors in People UK has signed up to the Skills Pledge and is encouraging its recognised and committed organisations working the Standard as well as its partner organisations to sign up.
How do I sign up?
To register your interest in making the Employer Skills Pledge simply call:
the Skills Pledge call centre on 0800 015 55 45 (England only) or visit the website www.traintogain.gov.uk.
Investors in People organisations can also contact their local Investors in People Centre for more information.
If I already have the Standard or Profile, do I still need to sign up?
Yes, you will still need the commitment of your organisation to the Skills Pledge through the head of your organisation. The fact that you have the Standard or Profile and have already made a commitment to training and development your people and improving your business should assist in helping you through any development you may need to give your employees, if any, when you commit to the Skills Pledge.
What is a Level 2 qualification?
Level 2 is equivalent to 5 GCSE passes grades A-C including English and Maths. This does not just include GCSEs but also other qualifications such as NVQs. There are also Adult Literacy, Language and Numeracy Certificates, equivalent to GCSE grades A-C in Maths and English, which can be taken separately or as part of an NVQ. This is based on the English system.
More information on Investors in People and the link with Literacy, Language and Numeracy programmes can be found on the website under Development of the Standard, by emailing: litlangnum@iipuk.co.uk , or calling 020 7467 1946.
Is there any financial support?
In England the government will provide support through the Train to Gain service from the LSC. Train to Gain advisors will devise a programme that will find the right training provider for any business. Funded training will be available for Literacy, Language and Numeracy skills and first full Level 2 qualifications.
Employers with fewer than 50 people will also be entitled to a financial contribution to cover loss of time for employees studying for their first Level 2 including Literacy and Numeracy on achievement of qualifications.