The number of people gaining a qualification through the Train to Gain programme has passed the one million mark.

The millionth learner, Chris Scott, a process operator at chemical manufacturer William Blythe Ltd, in Accrington, completed his level 2 NVQ in Business Improvement Techniques on January 29 this year.

Chris’s work involves manufacturing chemicals and handling finished materials. He is one of 62 people at William Blythe Ltd to have completed a qualification through Train to Gain.

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New online resources to help employers and learners explore important changes to vocational qualifications and shape the content of future vocational qualifications were launched this month.

Business Link’s website now gives employers access to all they need to know about vocational qualifications and influence the changes as they take place.

For learners, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills website has a new online resource that provides the information and links needed to find out more about the changes.  

Colleges and others interested in vocational qualifications are also able to access information on changes through both web pages.

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Leading businessmen have recognised the impact that Train to Gain has had during this recession, saying that the Government's flagship service has helped them to provide vital training and development to staff. 

Figures released by the Learning and Skills Council last week show how businesses of all sizes have benefited from Government funded training and support. 80% of businesses who used the service said that they would recommend it to other employers whilst over 40% said that it had helped their business cope with the recession.

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TCHC have recently published three new case studies, which can be found on our View Case Studies page and make for interesting reading:

Paul Fountain - Read how Paul Fountain grasped his second chance with both hands. This young man from Luton has got himself back into work and is now training to become a fully qualified swimming instructor. Skills for Jobs Adviser Sharon Knott describes him as "an inspiration to those who may have gone down the wrong road."

Chinese Business Support - Read about how TCHC and specialist provider Chinese Business Support are going the extra mile to help small Chinese owned businesses get the training and support they need to grow despite language and communication barriers.

Savills Lending Solutions (SLS) - Read how Leadership & Management funding from TCHC helped pay for expert business coaching that helped SLS Director Rob Jupp save the jobs of 11 employees.

A new pilot programme has been launched that aims to give thousands of adults the opportunity to learn new IT skills that will help them get to grips with world wide web.

The scheme, announced on the 11th January, is part of the Government's response to the Review of ICT User Skills, published in June last year, which recommended that support be made available for the over 11 million adults in England who do not have basic IT skills.