Industry rounds on 'meaningless' Train to Gain programme

The UK print industry has condemned the government's nationwide, multimillion-pound training initiative as a "raw deal" for the sector.

Polestar group training director Darrin Stevens told printweek.com: "I support the government in what it is trying to do, but it isn't working for us.

"The print sector is getting a raw deal from Train to Gain."

The scheme, provided by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), aims to help businesses get the staff training they need through 'skills brokers', but only up to NVQ level two.

The government pumped £230m into the scheme in its first year (2006-2007), and will pour in a further £399m in 2007-2008.

But Stevens was concerned whether the project would help Polestar increase its staff's qualifications.

"We were alarmed with the results of an eligibility test we conducted on our staff to see if they qualified for training."

Stevens added: "36% of staff had print-related qualifications. Most people had level two qualifications or above, while only 13% of staff over both our Varnicoat and Chromoworks sites were eligible [for Train to Gain]."

After approaching National Employment Services (NES) with its findings, Polestar conducted further research with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) at its Sheffield and Chantry sites.

"This revealed that only 10% of employees were eligible for training, while only 3% could be considered 'jumpers' to level 3," he said.

The BPIF and Proskills concurred with Polestar's findings.

Proskills head of marketing and communications Richard Bloxam told printweek.com: "It's a bit restrictive. Train to Gain paves the way for training people to a level two qualification when the printing industry really needs level three at least."

Bloxam added: "Our research into the industry shows that while it's well-qualified overall, the qualifications don't tend to be printing related."

His thoughts were echoed by BPIF head of commercial training Ruth Exelby. "You can only access the funding if you are not already qualified. So if you are already trained to level two or hold four to five GCSEs, you are ineligible for training."

Exelby said: "This is preventing people with qualifications getting the training they need to progress within the printing industry."

Even the print industry "success" stories cited in the scheme's marketing could prove misleading.

Label Apeel managing director Stuart Kellock is quoted in a Train to Gain case study as saying the scheme was "a huge benefit to the business".

But he told printweek.com: "With European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL), there was a strong take-up rate, but only two members of staff completed the course."

Furthermore, the success story stems from four years ago, when Label Apeel placed some of its staff on the Employer Training Pilot, a scheme that has now developed into Train to Gain.

However, Kellock added that he was impressed with the basic English and Maths course, carried out by North Warwickshire and Hinckley College.

But none of these qualifications is directly print-related.

Polestar's Darrin Stevens claimed that without a complete overhaul of the initiative, Train to Gain is meaningless to the print industry.

"Train to Gain needs to refocus on the sector, the needs of the sector and the needs of the businesses within it," he said.

BPIF's Exelby summed up: "Unfortunately, the government's 'one-size-fits-all' plan does not fit the printing industry."

Train to Gain was unavailable for comment.
Source: printweek