Training body issues industry cash call

Improve is under pressure from the government to prove the level of support it has from employers ahead of establishing its Skills Academy.

Although companies have been quick to lend their support to the academy, this has not been in terms of hard cash, said the sector skills council for the food and drink industry.

“Support from employers has been great in terms of giving their time, letting us use their factories to train people, or donating kit, but they are not saying: 'Here is some cash',” said commercial director Paula Widdowson. “Instead they are saying they will buy into the programmes once the academy is up and running.”

However, the government is asking to see a 'contribution' from employers before it backs the scheme. “They might accept things like time and kit donations as a contribution, but we don't know yet,” added Widdowson.

Improve is in the process of submitting a business plan to secure additional funding for the academy, and hopes to have a response from the government by the end of June.

Directors of Nestlé, RHM, Warburtons and Young's Bluecrest have formed the backbone of an employer-led steering committee, which must give the final seal of approval to the business plan.

“We are still very confident that the academy will go ahead by the autumn,” stressed Widdowson.

The Skills Academy will deliver accredited, high quality and relevant learning programmes through six centres of excellence initially, five of which will be based on existing UK training institutions. The sixth will be online, offering opportunities for distance learning.

Following the launch, the aim is for more centres to be accredited around the country.