Sign the Skills Pledge

The Skills Pledge is a voluntary, public commitment by the leadership of an organisation to support all its employees to develop their basic skills, including literacy and numeracy, and work towards qualifications to at least level 2 (equivalent to 5 good GCSEs). NHS Employers is encouraging trust to sign up.

What is the skills pledge?

The Skills Pledge is a voluntary, public commitment by the leadership of an organisation to support all its employees to develop their basic skills, including literacy and numeracy, and work towards qualifications to at least level 2 (equivalent to 5 good GCSEs). The purpose is to ensure that all staff are skilled, competent and able to make a full contribution to the success of the organisation.

The Pledge can be given by the chief executive, chief operating officer, or another board member on behalf of the organisation. It is a corporate commitment covering the whole organisation. For those employees who do not already have a full level 2 qualification, the Government will provide funding to help them gain basic literacy and numeracy skills as well as their first full level 2 qualification.

What is the commitment?

The Learning and Skills Council's guidance for employers suggests a 'minimum commitment' which is outlined below. The guidance also encourages employers to build further training and development into their plans.

The Skills Pledge:

'On behalf of ............... I, as (Chief Executive/ equivalent) make a commitment that we shall:

Actively encourage and support out employees to gain the skills and qualifications that will support their future employability and meet the needs of our business/organisation;

Actively encourage and support our employees to acquire basic literacy and numeracy skills, and with government support, work towards their first full Level 2 qualification in an area that is relevant to our organisation;

Demonstrably raise our employees' skills and competencies to improve company/organisation performance through investing in economically valuable training and development.

How can my organisation sign up to take the Skills Pledge?

If you would like more information on the Skills Pledge or would like to register your interest in taking the Pledge, telephone 08000 15 55 45.

When an organisation registers its intention to make the Skills Pledge, it will be able to access the support of a skills broker. There is a national network of skills brokers across England, managed and funded by the Learning and Skills Council. They will work with you to understand your priorities, help you identify your skills needs and work with you to design a training package.

It is for each organisation to decide how best to take the process forward. The Skills Broker will identify sources of public funding that are available from across Government, and help to identify the best suppliers of training.

Support for the Skills Pledge in the NHS has been driven by a Joint Investment Framework (JIF) which was agreed between SHAs, the Learning and Skills Council and Skills for Health in July 2007. The JIF will see up to £100 million of extra funds being put into the NHS annually to tackle skills gaps over a period of three years.

How is the NHS getting involved?

The Department of Health wrote jointly with the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills to SHA chief executives and directors of workforce to ask for their support in encouraging employers in their local areas to sign up.

A number if NHS organisations have already signed up, including all trusts in the South West and North East. If you have examples that you think would be useful to NHS organisations around how your organisation has used the Skills Pledge to support your staff we would be interested to hear from you. Please contact Gordon.fleck@nhsemployers.org

Where can I find out more?

You can find out more information or make the Skills Pledge online via the Train to Gain website.

Alternatively you can call 08000 15 55 45.

More information is also available on Skills for Health website including a document, Guidance for Health Sector Employers in England.

You can also find out more by contacting your SHA.