Beacon Companies sign up to the new Skills Pledge
Eight innovative businesses are amongst the first in the South West to sign up to the new Skills Pledge.
The Skills Pledge is a voluntary, public commitment by the leadership of organisations to demonstrate the importance on investing in the skills and training of their employees.
In making the Skills Pledge through the Train to Gain service, the Beacon companies have committed to supporting all their employees to develop their basic skills. This includes literacy and numeracy, and working towards relevant, valuable qualifications to at least Level 2 (equivalent to 5 good GCSEs):
Beacon is a South West of England Regional Development Agency (RDA) initiative that brings together leaders from the region’s most successful companies to encourage business excellence, form business alliances and share best practice.
Beacon companies from each area meet regularly at Beacon boardrooms to discuss strategic issues and challenges. At a recent Beacon boardroom in Somerset, Mulberry; Novo Executive Search; Vero Software; Space Engineering Company; Clarke Willmott; PADI; Stubbs Rich and Target Chartered Accountants gathered to sign the Skills Pledge.
Train to Gain’s spokesperson Linda McLean urged all businesses to take advantage of the Skills Pledge and said: “The Pledge is a major initiative that we believe will have a serious impact on improving skills in companies across the region.
“We are delighted that these Beacon companies – who are ambitious and respected for their forward thinking approach, have embraced this and are leading the way.”
As Linda McLean explains, having a skilled and competent workforce is one of the keys to a dynamic, successful business and is set to boost the productivity of the region.
Sue Baker, director of Beacon South West, comments: “ Beacon South West seeks to raise the bar across the region and inspire people to do something markedly different in their businesses. By signing up to the Skills Pledge, Beacon companies are demonstrating once again their commitment to leading the way and developing the skills pool within the region.”
Ian Scott, supply director at Mulberry, says: “We are delighted to be a pioneer in the Skills Pledge programme. We understand how important skills development is in realising the full potential of each and every member of our company. We believe that this initiative can make an important contribution to skills levels across the region.”
For more information on Train to Gain visit www.traintogain.gov.uk. Alternatively to find out how you can make the Skills Pledge independently or with the help of a Skills Broker in your area call 08456 047 047.
