Calling all Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technology Companies!

Can your business afford to miss out on funding for skills? Secure your slice of £65 million for skills investment!

The Science, Engineering and Manufacturing sectors are hugely important to the UK economy, and it is essential that companies in these sectors remain competitive. One way you can improve your business performance is to invest in the skills of your workforce.  Semta can help you identify the training needs of your company and give you access to £65 million worth of funding which is available to businesses in England.  Semta can give you expert advice on the types of training that have led to real business benefits in companies like yours.

Where has the £65 million for skills investment come from?

Semta has secured this funding with government specifically for the sectors which Semta works with.  In addition to the £65 million which forms part of a "compact" with the government, there is a range of other funding offers available on a regional basis that we can also help you access.

Which qualifications are eligible for funding?

Companies of all sizes within the Science, Engineering and Manufacturing sectors can access funding for:

• All first NVQ Level 2 qualifications
• Second NVQ Level 2 qualifications from "a priority list" approved by the Learning & Skills Council
• Any relevant first NVQ Level 3 qualifications
• A second NVQ Level 3 qualification from "a priority list" approved by the Learning & Skills Council
• Apprenticeships for people of all ages
• Skills for Life qualifications to improve for example, numeracy and literacy skills

Companies with 5 - 250 employees can also access funding for a range of management and leadership training needs for a key employee. 

Support for Level 4 qualifications will be available in 2009.

What is the process for accessing the funding?

There are just four easy steps you need to follow:

1. Contact Semta and arrange an appointment with one of our sector experts

2. With Semta's advice and guidance create a plan which:

• Addresses the skills needs of your business
• Identifies sources of training to meet your business needs
• Helps you access funding to support training activity

3. Implement your plan

4. In partnership with Semta, evaluate the success of the training you have carried out and consider further skills  needs

You may also want to explore the benefits of signing the Skills Pledge, a voluntary public commitment which shows that your company is committed to investing in staff training.

Why is skills development so important?

From the work that Semta has done with other companies, we know that a more skilled workforce is a more productive workforce.

For more information, contact Semta's Customer Services on 0845 643 9001