Mersey Skills Network has been created to give Merseyside businesses access to SkillWorks funding to support the cost of training. With up to 60% funding and a maximum of £60,000, this means you can afford invest in your staff and your business for future success.

Mersey Skills Network will act as the first point of contact for businesses requiring training. It is a consortium of four of the region’s leading and most experienced training providers: Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, Blackburne House, Liverpool Community College and Liverpool John Moores University.Here are some frequently asked questions about Mersey Skills Network:

• How long is the funding available for?
• What do I have to pay?
• Is Skillworks flexible?
• Who provides the training?
• Is all training covered?
• What if I need several people trained?
• Are qualifications involved?
• Do my employees need to be qualified already?
• Is there a lot of bureaucracy involved?

How long is the funding available for? The SkillWorks funding is available from now until 31 July 2008.
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What do I have to pay? All businesses are eligible for a 60% grant. You have to pay your share as a cash contribution and not through, for example, making facilities available or paying salaries.
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Is Skillworks flexible? SkillWorks is not about courses that are run at pre-determined locations and times. It is purely demand-led.We will work with you to come up with a training programme that fits in with the realities of business life and can be achieved within your budget.
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Who provides the training? Training will be provided by one of the Mersey Skills Network partners, or through approved training companies.
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Is all training covered? Yes. However, training must have added value when a particular qualification is a statutory requirement for a job.
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What if I need several people trained?SkillWorks can be used to train one employee or your entire workforce.
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Are qualifications involved? Training doesn”t have to lead to a qualification. However, over 9000 individual qualifications have been achieved since the SkillWorks was launched. We can advise you on a range of options.
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Do my employees need to be qualified already? Applicants do not need to have any current qualifications.
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Is there a lot of bureaucracy involved? Paperwork is kept to an absolute minimum. Your nominated contact will support you in completing the registration document.
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If you have any other questions, call Mersey Skills Network on 0151 224 1888 or email info@merseyskills.co.uk