University helps businesses bridge the training gap
Posted on 2 November 2004
Harrogate-based Rawcliffe Associates and the Stockbridge Technology Centre, at Cawood, near Selby, have benefited from the Graduate Asset Programme funded by the Learning and Skills Council, which enables businesses to obtain financial support for training their employees.
Rawcliffe Associates used GAP to enable graduate engineer Matthew Ingram to train in the latest computer-design packages. With a diverse range of clients, the company had difficulty finding time for training but managing director Dominic Rawcliffe recognised the potential benefits of expanding their use of the AutoCAD design package by training Matthew.
Matthew said: "The best thing is that the training could be used straight away. I have learned a lot. I have increased my AutoCAD skills from a basic knowledge to one where I can make a real difference."
Cathryn Lambourne, a quality assurance manager, at the Stockbridge Technology Centre Ltd, used GAP support to train with the British Association of Research Quality Assurance (BARQA). Set up by growers to create an independent horticultural centre of excellence, it is vital that Stockbridge maintains a leading edge in scientific practice.
The feedback we get from businesses that do commit [to train] is overwhelmingly positive
Andrew Ferguson
Cathryn said: "I attended a residential course in Cambridge that has allowed me to receive extensive training and membership of the association. This ensures that we receive regular updates on lab regulations to maintain our ‘Good Laboratory Practice’ status".
The University of York’s Enterprise Development Manager, Andrew Ferguson, who manages GAP for small and medium sized businesses based in North Yorkshire, added: "The businesses we talk to about GAP are mostly positive about training their graduate employees. Finding the time to train is always difficult but the feedback we get from businesses that do commit is overwhelmingly positive about the results.
"Using GAP’s financial support means that a wide range of courses can be made accessible to meet most business needs. We would encourage North Yorkshire businesses employing graduates to find out more about GAP by contacting the University or looking at our website at www.york.ac.uk/careers/gap/ "Notes to editors:
- The Graduate Asset Programme (GAP) is funded through the Learning and Skills Council for North Yorkshire. GAP can fund 50% of the course costs of externally provided training for a graduate employee to a ceiling of £2,000.
- To be eligible for support the business must employ fewer that 250 employees and be based in North Yorkshire. The employee to receive the training must be a graduate of a Higher Education Institution. Businesses should be in one of the four ‘cluster groups’ identified as important for the region’s development: bioscience, food and drink, digital or advanced engineering.
- Training can be in any subject that benefits the business. It can be a short or long-term course and does not have to be provided in the North Yorkshire Region.
- GAP was designed by the Learning and Skills Council and Yorkshire Forward to support businesses using higher order skills in North Yorkshire. It also provides an incentive for graduates to live and work in the region and avoid the traditional drift to the South East to find employment
- Andrew Ferguson at the University of York can be contacted on 01904 433329 or by e-mail on arf4@york.ac.uk. More information is available on GAP at the project website www.york.ac.uk/services/careers/gap/