Useful Training & Education Links

Apprenticeships

Apprentices learn on the job, building up knowledge and skills, gaining qualifications and earning money all at the same time.
www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Association of Colleges

The Association of Colleges was created in 1996 as the single voice to promote the interests of further education colleges in England and Wales.
www.aoc.co.uk

Association of Learning Providers

The purpose of the Association of Learning Providers is to influence the education and training agenda to secure national skills strategy that meets the needs of employers and learners.
www.learningproviders.org.uk

The Basic Skills Agency

The national development organisation for literacy and numeracy in England and Wales.
www.basic-skills.co.uk

BBC Skillswise

Games, quizzes and more to help you improve your literacy and numeracy.
www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/

BBC Learning Website

Offers online learning, support and advice..
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/

British Chambers of Commerce

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is the national body for a powerful and influential Network of Accredited Chambers of Commerce across the UK.
www.britishchambers.org.uk 

Business Link

Business Link gives practical impartial help and advice to businesses. Easy access to objective information and support.
www.businesslink.gov.uk

Confederation of British Industry (CBI)

CBI—The voice of business. Since 1965, the CBI has been UK business’ most powerful lobbying organisation representing organisations from all sectors, regardless of size.
www.cbi.org.uk

Department for Education and Skills

This department has been replaced by the two immediately listed below DIUS and DCSF.

Department for Innovations, Universities and Skills (DIUS)

The Department aims to deliver the Government’s long-term vision to make Britain one of the best places in the world for science, research and innovation. It works to ensure that the UK has the skilled workforce it needs to compete in the global economy.
www.dius.gov.uk

Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF)

The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) is responsible for improving the focus on all aspects of policy affecting children and young people, as part of the Government’s aim to deliver educational excellence.
www.dcsf.gov.uk

Department of Trade & Industry (DTI)

Working to create the conditions for business success and help the UK respond to the challenge of globalisation.
www.dti.gov.uk

Directgov

Visit Directgov to find a course, and for information about financial support, training and workplace learning and how you can fit learning around your lifestyle.
www.direct.gov.uk/adultlearning

Employer’s Guide to Good Training

Aimed at employers, the Employer’s Guide to Training Providers will help you choose the most suitable training provider for your business and workforce needs.
http://www.lsc.gov.uk/Whatwedo/Employer/egtp.htm

Federation of Small Businesses

The FSB is the largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms.
www.fsb.org.uk

Focus on Basic Skills

Looks at how the use of ILT is being developed within the Literacy, numeracy and ESOL community.
http://ferl.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?page=83

Get On Campaign

For information about the Government’s adult literacy and numeracy advertising campaign, featuring the ‘Gremlins’ and downloadable marketing materials.
www.dfes.gov.uk/get-on/

Institute of Directors

www.iod.com

Investors in People

The Investors in People Standard is a business improvement tool designed to advance an organisation’s performance through its people.
www.investorsinpeople.co.uk

Jobcentre Plus

Jobcentre Plus is a government agency supporting people of working age from welfare into work, and helping employers to fill their vacancies.
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/

Learndirect

Runs a nationwide network of learning centres offering online courses, in accessible places like sports clubs, leisure centres, churches and libraries.
www.learndirect.co.uk

Learning and Skills Development Agency

A strategic national resource for the development of policy and practice in post-16 education and training.
www.isda.org.uk

The Learning and Skills Network (LSN)

An independent not-for-profit organisation committed to making a difference to education and training.
http://www.lsneducation.org.uk/

Move on

Move On is a national project aiming offering Level 1 and 2 learners the new national Certificate in Adult Literacy and numeracy with a free brush-up course, aiming to reach new learners who don’t see themselves as needing help with their basic skills.
www.move-on.org.uk

National Employer Service

Set up by the Learning and Skills Council, the NES seeks to work strategically with large employers to meet their workforce development needs, represent their views and strengthen linkages between employer needs and new emerging skills development.
http://nes.lsc.gov.uk

National Institute for Adult Continuing Education and Learning

Non-government organisation for adult learning in England and Wales. Provides resources and e-mail discussion groups for debate and the sharing of good practice.
www.niace.org.uk

The National Literacy Trust

The National Literacy Trust’s purpose is to make an independent, strategic and practical contribution to the creation of a society in which all can enjoy the skills, confidence and pleasures of literacy to support their educational, economic, social and cultural goals.
www.literacytrust.org.uk

nextstep

Funded by the Learning and Skills Council, and launched in 2004, nextstep is the brand name for face-to-face information and advice services, which are offered free to adults over 20 years of age wanting to learn new skills, retrain or gain new qualifications and improve their career prospects.
www.direct.gov.uk/nextstep

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

Works to maintain and develop the school curriculum and associated assessment, and to accredit and monitor qualifications in schools, colleges and at work.
www.qca.org.uk

Quality Improvement Agengy (QIA previously known as the Learning and Development Agency)

Orgainsation to create a strong strategic focus on improving quality throughout the learning sector.
www.qia.org.uk

read-write-plus

Website used as the main source of information and advice on all aspects of implementing the ’Skills for Life’ national strategy.
www.dfes.gov.uk/readwriteplus/

Regional Development Agencies (RDAs)

Regional Development Agencies were set up by Government to promote sustainable economic development in England.
www.englandsrdas.com

Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA)

The Skills for Business network aims to boost the productivity and profitability of the UK.
www.ssda.org.uk

Small Business Council

The Small Business Council is a non Department Independent Body comprising of 15 small business owner managers from all parts of the UK and representing different business sectors.
www.smallbusinesscouncil.org

Small Business Service

An agency of the DTI
www.sbs.gov.uk

Skills Strategy from the DIUS

This is the new look Skills Strategy Website. The website will keep you informed of the progress made in delivering the skills strategy as set out in the white paper, 21st Century Skills, Realising Our Potential.
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/skillsstrategy/

Trades Union Congress (TUC)

The TUC campaigns for a fair deal at work and for social justice at home and abroad.
www.tuc.org.uk

Treasury

www.hm-treasury.gov.uk

UK Online Centres

Aim to give everyone in the UK access to the internet and e-mail near to where they live. Centres help people with limited or no IT skills to learn to use the internet.
www.dfes.gov.uk/ukonlinecentres/

West London Lifelong Learning Network 

A government funded partnership that helps vocational learners achieve higher level work-related qualifications through flexible learning.
http://www.westlondonlln.org

Workers’ Education Association (WEA)

Provides adults with high-quality courses, working with Universities, local education authorities and other organisations.
www.wea.org.uk

Worktrain

Offers a range of jobs and training courses for adults wanting to improve their skills.
www.worktrain.gov.uk