That’s right – you could receive up to £1000 funding to go towards leadership and management training, coaching or mentoring.

Through the Learning and Skills Council’s ‘Train to Gain’ service, SMEs across the country can apply to have some, of their costs for specific courses/mentoring services covered by the latest round of government funding.

As long as your practice has between 5 and 249 employees, you may be able to secure funding towards your firm’s training needs. The funding is limited to £1000 per business (excluding VAT), and has to be match funded by your firm. However, the funding is only available on a first come, first served basis, and has a cut off date of 31 March. The terms and conditions may vary across the different regions of the Train to Gain service.

SWATUK can provide a variety of in-house courses that would be suitable for this funding. These courses can assist with leadership and management skills training for partners, managers and professional staff within your practice, making it a very cost effective way for you to train these key staff members.

Our in-house courses include:

• Leadership and Management Skills Development
• Personal Time Management
• Staff Appraisals
• Supervisory Skills
• Team Building
• Communication Skills
• Sales Training for Accountants
• Selling Accountancy Services
• Cross Selling Opportunities

The deadline for submitting your funding application AND attending the course(s) is 31 March 2008.

SWATUK can help with your application for funding to Train to Gain, please contact David Norris on 0845 450 5555, or email david.norris@swat.co.uk. Further details about the funding can be found at http://www.traintogain.gov.uk.

Vicki Banthorpe
Feb 2007