UK Training Industry Press Releases

New NVQs open up Train to Gain Opportunities for Laundry and dry cleaning, says Skillfast UK

Employers in the laundry and dry cleaning industry in the North West, South West and Midlands are being urged to take advantage of new funding for vital skills training.

Employers in the three regions can now use Government Train to Gain funding to pay for those employees who haven't already got a Level 2 qualification (the equivalent of five good GCSE passes) to undertake the new NVQ Level 2 qualifications in laundry and dry-cleaning. 

Train to Gain is a Government initiative, which offers businesses a visit from a "skills broker" to give skills and training advice, plus financial support to help employees to achieve a first Level 2 qualification.   Employers with less than 50 staff may also be eligible for wage subsidies under Train to Gain.

The four NVQ level 2 qualifications cover Laundry Operations, Laundry Service Support, Dry-Cleaning Operations and Dry-Cleaning Service Support.  They were designed by Skillfast-UK, the Sector Skills Council for fashion and textiles, in collaboration with employers from the sector.  The NVQs consist of a range of modules and topics to allow employers and employees to "mix and match" the sections that best suit their requirements.  The qualifications also include health and safety as a mandatory unit.

Skillfast-UK's Head of Qualifications and Standards, Jamie Petrie is urging employers in the North West, South West and Midlands, to contact their local training provider to find out more.

He says:  "It's really important that employers in these first three regions take advantage of the significant funding that is available through Train to Gain.  The visit by the skills broker, which helps companies to assess where better skills could improve productivity, together with financial support for some trainees and the availability of the new NVQs, has removed all the significant barriers to skills training for many businesses. It's up to employers to seize the opportunity and make it work for their people and productivity."