Train to Gain approval for EPIC

EPIC has been approved by the West Midlands Learning and Skills Council to deliver a key government-funded skills-improvement programme for two EPIC member companies in the region. One member has chosen support for mobile plant and process operations NVQs at Level 2 and the other for Health, Safety and Environmental Management in extractive and mineral-processing industries NVQs at Level 3.

EPIC’s new status as an ‘approved provider’ for the Government’s flagship ‘Train to Gain’ funding programme means that EPIC will be able to offer it to other member companies in the West Midlands as well as offering ‘fast-track’ access to similar funding support in more English regions.

EPIC has identified Train to Gain as currently the best programme to meet the needs of member companies within the extractive and mineral-processing industries. It provides public funding to offset a significant proportion of the cost of delivering industry specific NVQs at Level 2 and in some circumstances Level 3 (ie where no Level 2 exists, eg Blasting and Health, Safety and Environmental Management).

There are some restrictions on eligibility for Train to Gain funding and, as with all Learning and Skills Council (LSC) funding, there are specific delivery and administrative requirements that must be met. EPIC will manage the programme for interested member companies and deal with all the LSC requirements.

Delivery of Train to Gain funded programmes can be through existing in-company assessment centres or EPIC can provide a complete registration, assessment and certification service.

To find out more about this funding opportunity, contact Martin Cox, EPIC training manager, on tel: (01252) 790136; or mobile: (07730) 3125080.