Cornwall Skills Programme – Employer Launch Event
Businesses from all over Cornwall gathered at a fully booked launch event for the Cornwall Skills Programme on 20th January, to learn how they can benefit from funded training in 2017.
The event, hosted by Truro and Penwith College at Haven House Conference and Training Centre, gave Cornish businesses an introduction to the Programme. Local employers, Skinners Brewery and the Eden Project supported the event, discussing how they plan to take advantage of the programme in 2017, and their ongoing relationship with the College.
Guest speaker, Dawn George, Head of HR from the Eden Project: “We plan to send our Front of House Team on training delivered through the Programme, and are currently working with the College to create bespoke training for staff in need of very specific hospitality skills”. Dawn continued; “We’ve always had a strong relationship with Truro and Penwith College, the quality of training is outstanding, and the Cornwall Skills Programme is a no brainer for businesses to get involved in.”
Skinners Brewery have already started a training programme through this initiative and have received funding for eight courses that target their business goals while developing a range of skills for 30 employees. This includes bespoke training in areas such as Leadership and Management as well as an ESOL course (English for Speakers of Other Languages) to support and up-skill their non-English speaking workforce. Alison Francis-King, HR Manager, Skinners Brewery commented; “If you have the opportunity to get the training and have staff that are willing, I would highly recommend it!”
Sue Willmott, Manager of Sue Willmott HR Consultancy also attended to support the programme and offer businesses her independent advice: “Learning will bring improvement to business practices and members of staff with the energy, drive and enthusiasm will be keen to learn and progress to help your business, which is what the Cornwall Skills Programme is all about”.
Head of Business, Tamsyn Harris, covered an introduction to the Cornwall Skills Programme, including eligibility, funding and courses available: “We are really excited to be offering the Cornwall Skills Programme. Working in partnership with businesses across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to develop training programmes that target their business goals is something we are always passionate about. The Cornwall Skills Programme enables us to go one step further and offer funded training through the ESF and SFA, which will make a real difference to businesses in Cornwall and the wider economy. We invite any Cornish business to contact us and discuss how this programme can support them”.
Employers were invited to attend one of two workshops, the first of which helped them look at bespoke training for large groups and how it may benefit their organisation, with the second focusing on techniques to identify training that is most likely to add value to employees and the bottom line.
One to one sessions with a Business Development Advisor were also available to give employers a chance to discuss the specific needs of their business and further appointments were made where necessary.
If you think the Cornwall Skills Programme could benefit your business, contact the Customer Services team on 01872 242711 or visit the Truro and Penwith College website at www.truro-penwith.ac.uk/csp to arrange a consultation.
