The Government's £250 million plan to boost vocational training programmes has been welcomed by awarding organisation for the engineering, manufacturing, building services and related sectors EAL.
Ann Watson, managing director at EAL, said: 'The Prime Minister's announcement is excellent news for industry - which is dependent on upskilling and training its workers in new technology and techniques, as well as employing new staff through schemes such as Apprenticeships. The prospect of greater employer ownership means that investment can be made where skills gaps are most keenly felt, to address shortages in technical engineering and manufacturing occupations, for example.

'To make the most of this funding, it is crucial for businesses and organisations to work with specialist awarding organisations to ensure the quality of training programmes. Delivering real benefits means identifying skills needs and addressing these with programmes that make a visible impact in the workplace. Working with an external awarding organisation such as EAL will ensure that programmes are of a high standard, meet industry requirements and provide staff with externally recognised qualifications that boost their CVs and future prospects.'