Business Link
Business Link gives practical impartial help and advice to businesses. Easy access to objective information and support.
www.businesslink.gov.uk
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
Careers Advice (formerly Learndirect)
Runs a nationwide network of learning centres offering online courses, in accessible places like sports clubs, leisure centres, churches and libraries.
http://careersadvice.direct.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 Business, Innovations and Skills (BIS)
BIS has replaced the 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.bis.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.
Employers Guide to Good Training
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://excellence.qia.org.uk/page.aspx?o=ferl.aclearn.page.id83
Get On Campaign
For information about the Government’s adult literacy and numeracy advertising campaign, featuring the ‘hands’ and downloadable marketing materials.
http://geton.direct.gov.uk/
Institute of Directors
A worldwide association of members, the Institute of Directors (IoD) provides a professional network that reaches into every corner of the business community.
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 now changed to Careers Advice
Runs a nationwide network of learning centres offering online courses, in accessible places like sports clubs, leisure centres, churches and libraries.
http://careersadvice.direct.gov.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
NES (the National Employer Service) offers specialist advice on workforce development to national, multi-site employers with more than 5000 employees, supported by a direct funding contract with the LSC. This enables employers to develop large, embedded training programmes delivering portable, nationally-accredited qualifications that give their people better skills and improve business performance.
http://nationalemployerservice.org.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
The National Skills Academy Network
A network of employer-led, world-class centres of excellence delivering the skills required by each sector of the economy.
www.nationalskillsacademy.co.uk
Next Step
Next Step offers careers and skills advice to to fit your individual needs. You can speak to an adviser on the phone or make a face-to-face appointment in your area by calling 0800 100 900.
Next Step
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
Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS previously known as the Quality Improvement Agency (QIA) and Centre for Excellence in Leadership (CEL))
This is the sector-owned body for the development dedicated to the development of the further education and skills sector - the body is a merge of QIA and CEL.
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
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
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/
UK Commission for Employment and Skills
The UK Commission for Employment and Skills aims to raise UK prosperity and opportunity by improving employment and skills.
Unionlearn
Aims to help unions encourage lifelong learning among members.
http://www.unionlearn.org.uk/
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
