In This Section
What is it?
The Learning agreement is a government initiative offering financial incentives to young people aged 16/17 that are in jobs without training, to access accredited training.
The Learning Agreement is designed to encourage young people to access learning that will benefit both themselves and their employer.
Greater Manchester is one of eight areas in the country that is participating in the Learning Agreement initiative, which runs until March 2009.
Why should I take part?
COST
There is no cost to employers. As an employer you are entitled to:
- Free of charge nationally accredited training
- £250 bonus for each employee who successfully completes their Learning Agreement.
MOTIVATION
In addition to encouraging young workers to get a taste for training, the Learning Agreement will help to motivate and retain the young people and so increase the productivity of your business.
IMPROVED SKILLS
Employers tell us that many young people do not have the necessary skills they need and are not properly prepared for the world of work. This is one way the Government is investing money to address this.
What will I have to do?
All that you need to do is agree to a training package that will suit both you and your employee, and to give them the time and support to do the training – either in the workplace or in a learning/training centre.
Will my employees want to take part?
The young person will receive up to £250 in bonus payments for taking part and achieving their Learning Agreement. The employee will be assessed and their training needs identified.
What training is available?
The Learning Agreement can access a wide range of free, flexible training courses to include Apprenticeships. How the young person is trained and the time it will take is agreed between the young person, the employer and the learning provider. The Connexions Personal Adviser and the learning provider will attend reviews with the young person to review their progress.
How does Connexions fit in?
Connexions is the advice and guidance service for young people. Our aim is to help young people make a successful transition to adult and working life. The Learning Agreement is one way we hope to achieve this, by bringing together employers, and learning providers to give young people the best start in life.
Download our leaflet “Upskill your young employees with free training”