JULIA Drown, MP for South Swindon, has welcomed Swindon's participation in an Employer Training Pilot Scheme.
The Swindon pilot is one of only six in the country, with a combined budget of £40 million, and aims to raise the basic skills level of the UK workforce.
Aimed at people who have not yet trained and qualified to skills level 2 (equivalent to 5 GCSEs), the scheme:
Provides free training and learning up to level 2.
Gives support and financial compensation to participating employers (up to 150% of wage costs for small firms)
Offers employees paid time off for learning with free information, advice and guidance for employer and employee
Ms Drown said: "Helping people gain these skills is good for people and good for business. Raising the skills level in the UK is necessary to improve productivity as well as to provide a foundation for further learning for individuals.
"This is especially important for the technical skills needed in a modern, competitive economy. I'm proud that Swindon has been chosen as one of the pilot schemes."
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