Training & Development
Nationally Funded Training and Recruitment Initiatives
Companies can access a range of nationally funded recruitment
and training programmes. The majority of programmes are managed by
two key organisations, the Learning and Skills Council Kent and
Medway, and the Employment Service. Both have specialist employer
liaison teams administering the schemes, and they are delivered via
a number of locally approved training providers. The local
Jobcentre Plus centre at Dover administers the Employment Service's
programmes.
Learning and Skills Council, Kent and Medway
Employment Service
Jobcentre
72 - 75 Maison Dieu Road
Dover
Kent
Telephone: +44 (0) 1304 866100
Fax: +44 (0) 1304 866116
Website: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Advanced Modern Apprenticeships
- For employees aged 16-18
- Structured training of high calibre employees to NVQ Level 3 or
4.
- Geared towards acquiring relevant business skills and
qualifications.
- Suitable for new recruits (from either alternative employment)
or existing employees).
- 2½ to 4 years (fit in with company priorities)
- Managed by/further information: The Learning and Skills
Council, Kent and Medway
Foundation Modern Apprenticeships
- For employees aged primarily 16-18, some availability for
19-24
- Training with the aim of NVQ Level 2 or higher in relevant
occupation area, inclusive of wider key skills (communication/
teamwork).
- Training can be started before a permanent job is found or used
as an opportunity to progress into employment, an Advanced Modern
Apprenticeship or for re-training purposes.
- Timeframe: 12 - 18 months
- Managed by/further information: The Learning and Skills
Council, Kent and Medway
Work based Learning for Adults
- For employees aged 25+
- Development of an individual training plan to improve the
chances of getting a job. Can be delivered as full-time training,
basic skills training or open learning or during a work placement
or self-employment.
- Suitable for those unemployed for 6 months or more or returning
to the workplace.
- Managed by/further information: JobCentre Plus
Worktrial Plus
- For employees aged 25+
- A three-week funded work trial during which the prospective
employee continues to receive benefits plus some expenses.
- Suitable for people who have been unemployed for more than 6
months, or are returning to work, who are keen to prove their
suitability to their prospective employer.
- Managed by/further information: JobCentre Plus
New Deal
- For employees aged 18-24; 25+
- Four options to experience work or gain appropriate skills
including full time education, employer wage subsidy, work with the
Environment Task Force or work in the voluntary sector.
- Specialist courses tailored to the needs of the individual/
prospective employer
- Suitable for people who have been unemployed for more than 6
months (18-24) or more than 2 years (25+) plus lone parents.
- Managed by/further information:
Job CentrePlus
New Business Options
- Business start-up programme leading to the production of a
business plan. This includes modular training on 3 separate ½ days
on basic start-up issues, marketing and finance. Small incentive
payments may be available on satisfactory completion of the
business plan and starting the business.
- Suitable for people interested in starting their own business
venture within the Dover area.
- Managed by/further information: Enterprise Agency of East
Kent
The Princes Trust - Business Programme
- Business programme offered by The Prince's Trust to
disadvantaged young people in Dover to help start up their own
business. Assistance offered includes low interest loans, test
marketing grants, access to 'Business Mentors' and specialist
advice.
- Suitable for unemployed, underemployed (part-time work,
temporary work or not able to utilise their skills), disadvantaged
people aged 18-30 interested in starting their own business.
- Managed by/further information: The Princes Trust
The Princes Trust - Development Award Grants
- Grants of £50 - 500 to buy equipment, fund childcare or
anything else that will help young people learn new skills or get
into work.
- Suitable for unemployed, underemployed, underskilled
disadvantaged young people aged 14-25 to help them learn new skills
or improve access to employment.
- Managed by/further information: The Princes Trust
Thanet College - Aviation Project
- The Aviation project will provide the skills platform to
prepare an East Kent labour pool for employability within the broad
occupational range of work created by the expansion of London
Manston Airport. Beneficiaries will be trained at NVQ Level 1,2
& 3 across all occupational areas and at NVQ Level 4&5 in
management and specialist roles
- Funded course available to companies or unemployed people in
East Kent interested in aviation related training.
- Managed by/further information: Sue van Zyl, Project Manager,
Thanet College Business
Development Unit, 13 Manston Court Road, Manston, Kent, CT12 5AX
Tel: 01843 824704.
Thanet College - Engineering Project
- The Engineering project addresses the skills gaps identified in
the engineering sector of East Kent by linking training at entry
and technician level directly to job opportunity and career
progression.
- Funded courses available to companies in East Kent. Thanet College
National Professional Development Loans
- A variety of loans exist for both companies and individuals to
enable a commitment to personal training and development for
work-related purposes.
Small Firms Training Loans
- A loan of between £500 and £125,000 to cover training costs,
and up to £5,000 to cover constancy advice on training.
- Suitable for Companies employing up to 50 people to enable
work-related education or training.
- Managed by/further information: Learndirect, in partnership
with eight high street banks.
Career Development Loans (CDL)
- For employees aged 18+
- A deferred repayment bank loan of between £300 and £8,000 to
pay for vocational education or training that will enhance job
prospects. Up to 80% of fees may be borrowed for course fees plus
approved expenses, for study periods of up to 2 years. Repayment
starts within a month of the course finishing.
- Suitable for people following work-related education/training
who are not eligible for a local authority grant.
- Managed by/further information: Barclays Bank, Royal Bank of
Scotland, Co-operative Bank and Clydesdale
Contact Economic Development:
E-mail: econdev@dover.gov.uk
Tel: 01304 872121/01304 872424
