anyone used the government's train to gain?

Deals_2

any thoughts on it and what it is actually about as i find unclear from the website . thanks in advance.

Scousebird_2

Hi, i have tried to and they have informed me that I cannot contact a 'skills broker' to find out about funding because I am not an employer. I would have to get my employer (the NHS) to call on my behalf! Ridiculous!

You could try contacting a local 'Businesslink' centre near you, as they fund NVQ's using train to gain.

My employer is now arranging funding and an NVQ level 3 course for me, as this is easier than the rigmoroll of the TTG scheme.

Hope you have better luck than me xx

Oldernotwiser

You need to be aware that the advice that you get from a skills broker will be based on what is best for your employer rather than for you as an individual. That doesn't mean that it's wrong but that it's not unbiased.

Much of the training available through this would also be available for free independently through your local college, depending on your existing qualifications.

I don't really see Train to Gain offering much benefit for individuals.

Deals_2

work? thanks in advance.

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

You need to be aware that the advice that you get from a skills broker will be based on what is best for your employer rather than for you as an individual. That doesn't mean that it's wrong but that it's not unbiased.

Much of the training available through this would also be available for free independently through your local college, depending on your existing qualifications.

I don't really see Train to Gain offering much benefit for individuals.

Scousebird_2

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

You need to be aware that the advice that you get from a skills broker will be based on what is best for your employer rather than for you as an individual. That doesn't mean that it's wrong but that it's not unbiased.

Much of the training available through this would also be available for free independently through your local college, depending on your existing qualifications.

I don't really see Train to Gain offering much benefit for individuals.

Maybe not for some but I work in the NHS and by taking advantage of the Free Level 3 Course (NVQ Health) in 13 weeks time I am eligible for a payrise of £2000 as I can be moved up a grade at work-obviously there has to be a vacancy but due to the skills you can do as a level 3 and public demand for services (eg blood tests, illnesses requiring treatment with IV fluids hence the need for an IV line insertion)-the more people who use our hospital, the more trained staff they need and the NVQ level 3 covers these areas so it means quite a bit to me!

But I suppose everyones circumstances are different and I am just lucky with what doors I get keys to when I have my full accreditation.

Oldernotwiser

Scousebird wrote: »

Maybe not for some but I work in the NHS and by taking advantage of the Free Level 3 Course (NVQ Health) in 13 weeks time I am eligible for a payrise of £2000 as I can be moved up a grade at work-obviously there has to be a vacancy but due to the skills you can do as a level 3 and public demand for services (eg blood tests, illnesses requiring treatment with IV fluids hence the need for an IV line insertion)-the more people who use our hospital, the more trained staff they need and the NVQ level 3 covers these areas so it means quite a bit to me!

But I suppose everyones circumstances are different and I am just lucky with what doors I get keys to when I have my full accreditation.

It sounds to me as if your training needs and those of your employer are a good match, which is fantastic. The point I was making was that if you don't already have a level 3 qualification, something at this level would be free anyway, regardless of Train to Gain.

Anyway, I'm glad the scheme has worked well for you.

Deals_2

i was wondering what is around. thanks

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

It sounds to me as if your training needs and those of your employer are a good match, which is fantastic. The point I was making was that if you don't already have a level 3 qualification, something at this level would be free anyway, regardless of Train to Gain.

Anyway, I'm glad the scheme has worked well for you.

securityman

All i know about it is i signed up for full time collage and as i did not have nvq or level 3 in any c&g i got the course for free. As i am 34 it would of cost me £1100.
I did not know this untill i was about to pay and i said that i have seen about ttg in the local paper. Bang saved £1100.

true27

have you thought about an adult apprenticeship instead of ttg? both work pretty much the same, in that neither you nor your employer have to pay anything for the training, but apprenticeship vacancies are more often advertised if you were looking for a change of career and want the first step.

ttg seems to come in where employers are trying to fulfil the criteria to get an investors in people award or similar. don't get me wrong, its a great scheme and works really well to upskill an existing workforce, but i don't see it working as a mainstream funding scheme.

get hold of your local FE college, they should have a learner engagement team or similar who should be able to advise you on the best route to funding the qualification you're looking for.