The Haven Gateway Learning Champions Scheme is gathering pace. There are over 70 employers in the sub-region already benefiting from the scheme and that number is set to swell in the coming months.

The aim of Learning Champions is to allow companies to take control of the training and development of their employees. Companies can nominate one or two people to be their in-house source of knowledge and advice on matters to do with training, development and funding, their very own Learning Champions. Many local businesses see training as a key part of their strategy and planning but so often fail to find a training or development activity that fits in with the goals of the business.

The Learning Champion project offers companies a place on one of their workshops where the topics covered include; the business case for development, how to identify the real training needs of your business and how to develop and deliver the right solution to meet those needs. Many businesses will point to the costs of training as the one aspect that stops training taking place. To overcome this, the workshop also focuses on information on where to find grants or funding to contribute towards and ease the costs of training activities for everyone in your business.

The Learning and Skill Council and the European Social Fund are fully funding the scheme. This means that your business will not be charged to take part.

Already several companies have seen that Learning Champions is a way to develop their workforce. Not only can the scheme help with ongoing generic training activities but, where the business has a succession plan for the future, they now have an opportunity to ensure that training is specific and targeted where it needs to be.

If you want to find out how the Learning Champions project can be a real benefit to your business and how you and your team can get invited to a host of additional funded workshops then contact Edward or Vivienne from the Akenham Partnership on 01223 421155 or email learningchampions@akenham.com.