The Skills Pledge* - Guide to the Skills Pledge

• Mini guide for ULRs
• Model letter for unions to write to employer (with Learning Committee/Agreement)
• Model letter for unions to write to employer (without Learning Committee/ Agreement)

1. Mini guide for ULRs

What it is?
At its absolute minimum the Skills Pledge is a voluntary, public commitment by the leadership of a company or organisation to support all its employees to develop their basic skills, including literacy and numeracy, and work towards relevant, valuable, vocational qualifications to at least Level 2 (equivalent to 5 good GCSEs). http://www.traintogain.gov.uk/skillspledge/

Who it is for?
All employers, of any size, and whether public, private or voluntary

What can you do?

For details of those companies that have already signed please visit http://ttg.edrs.lsc.gov.uk/ivemadetheskillspledge/default.aspx

Is your employer included?
YES				NO
Do you have a learning agreement?				Do you have a learning agreement?
YES	NO			YES	NO
Propose adoption of annexe to model agreement	Use impetus of pledge to negotiate an agreement [Model learning agreement]			refer to model letter 1	See model letter 2
Ensure implementation of pledge is on agenda of learning committee		Ask your employer what is being done to implement the pledge		Need more help? Contact your union, or your unionlearn regional office
				Let us know how you get on

2. Model letter for unions to write to employer (with Learning Committee/Agreement)

Dear

I would like to draw your attention to the Skills Pledge currently being promoted by the Learning and Skills Council. (www.traintogain.gov.uk/skillspledge/). This pledge is a public commitment by employers to support all employees to gain the skills and qualifications needed to enable them to make a full contribution to the success of the business/organisation and their future employability.

The Leitch review recommended that should there be insufficient progress by 2010 there should be a statutory entitlement to workplace training for employees without a full level 2 qualification.

By signing up to and implementing the terms of the Skills Pledge you will be demonstrating to current and future employees that [business/organisation name] has a genuine commitment to their skills needs, as well as those of the business/organisation. It will also give you access to any financial support available under the Train to Gain scheme. This can only complement and expand the work we are already engaged on together [in the Workplace Learning Committee]* and will reinforce the message given to the employees when we concluded the Learning Agreement in [year].

*delete if inappropriate

3. Model letter for unions to write to employer (without Learning Committee/ Agreement)

Dear

I would like to draw your attention to the Skills Pledge currently being promoted by the Learning and Skills Council. (www.traintogain.gov.uk/skillspledge/). This pledge is a public commitment by employers to support all employees to gain the skills and qualifications needed to enable them to make a full contribution to the success of the business/organisation.

The Leitch review recommended that should there be insufficient progress by 2010 there should be a statutory entitlement to workplace training for employees without a full level 2 qualification.

By signing up to and implementing the terms of the Skills Pledge you will be demonstrating to current and future employees that [business/organisation name] has a genuine commitment to their skills needs, as well as those of the business/organisation. It will also give you access to any financial support available under the Train to Gain scheme. In the absence of any formal agreement on learning between [business/organisation name] and [union name] it will provide support for the tremendous efforts that are being made by the union representatives to promote lifelong learning and basic skills acquisition.

Briefing document (600 words) issued 13 Aug 2007

Quality Skills, Quality Services
3 December 2008

It's a communication jungle out there…
1 December 2008

Employers light the way through the union route to the Skills Pledge
27 November 2008

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