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Training Firm in College Link-up

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A West Bridgford company has teamed up with a college in a bid to deliver £4m of training to businesses in the next 12 months.

UNOCO has joined forces with Lincoln College, which also runs Newark college.

The Government is introducing commercial competition for funding that was previously only available to colleges.

In what is being described as a unique partnership, UNOCO will provide workplace training and assessments while the college conducts off-the-job training at its Lincoln and Newark campuses. Government funding is available covering most of the cost for the employer.

The programmes will include:

• Skills and management training for adults
• Apprenticeships for 16 to 25-year-olds
• Entry to Employment (e2e) for young job seekers
• Pre-apprenticeships and diplomas for 14 to 16-year-olds preparing them for work.

Using funding from the 'Train to Gain' service, the partnership aims to help employers overcome skills shortages in industries such as construction, manufacturing, engineering, health and social care, transport and hospitality.

UNOCO uses screening technology and delivers programmes tailored to the individual business.

More than 90% of learners pass and training times are reduced by half. Ted Stanley, UNOCO chief executive, said: "This model will pave the way for further successful private and public partnerships."

Business development director Robin Peak, who was employed by Lincoln College, will have a key role and champion the development of the model in other areas and regions.

He said: "I am thrilled to be leading this new partnership which will tackle regional skills shortages and deliver training that meets employers' needs in an entirely new and exciting way."

John Allen, principal of Lincoln College said: "All colleges will need to find creative solutions to adapt to the changing landscape of government funded training and I believe that public/private partnerships can play an important role in meeting these challenges.

"This strategic partnership with a leading national private learning provider, together with our recent merger with Newark College, will enable us to respond better to the training needs of East Midlands' employers, and the new regional focus of the Learning and Skills Council."