Last Updated: 20-Mar-08 04:36

Asset Skills has welcomed two major moves by Government to help raise the skills of adult learners.

The Chancellor`s budget saw the announcement of an extra £60m of resources over the next three years to help the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) provide new opportunities to help workers unlock their talents.

`This shows there is real commitment to lifting the skills of everyone in the UK` says Richard Beamish, Chief Executive of Asset Skills.

`It will benefit employers across our five industries: property, housing, cleaning, facilities management and parking - by making it easier for them to access the right training and funding for staff development.`

As well as the budget boost, Phil Hope MP, Regional Minister for the East Midlands, visited Derby-based Rolls-Royce to announce a new partnership for the region, the Train to Gain Protocol.

The partnership involves Asset Skills and the other 24 Sector Skills Councils (SSCs), the Learning and Skills Council, the East Midlands Development Agency and East Midlands Business Ltd.

The launch, on 10 March, was organised by the new Alliance of Sector Skills Councils, and attended by skills partners and East Midlands` employers.

The Train to Gain scheme has already helped around 4,000 employers in the region to upskill their workers. The new push aims to reach thousands more to help them develop their workforce and strengthen business productivity.

`The protocol we have put in place will lead the way for us to work even closer with employers to help them help themselves in growing their businesses` says Richard Beamish.

Employers were also invited to sign up to a Skills Pledge to show their commitment to provide ongoing training and support for workers in obtaining qualifications.

For press enquiries please contact Jess Watson at Asset Skills on 07769 900 963 or email jwatson@assetskills.org