In response to one of Lord Leitch's report on skills reform recommendations he proposed: "Everyone - the employee, the employer and the government - should investmore so that everyone can benefit.

"If significant progress is not achieved by 2010, then the government should legislate for an employee entitlement to training but this could be avoided if employers pledged to encourage and support all their staff to improve their skills and qualifications." * This prompted the introduction of The Skills Pledge,whichwas launched on 14 June, byGordon Brown and otherministers at a high profile event in London.

The Skills Pledge is a voluntary, public commitment by the leader of an organisation, that theywill support all their employees to develop their basic skills, including literacy and numeracy, and achieve, at minimum, their first Level 2 qualification. It is open to all employers of all sizes in the private, public and voluntary sectors.

The purpose is to ensure that all staff are skilled, competent and able to make a full contribution to the success of the organisation.

Employers will need to include the Skills Pledge statement in their strategic business plan and, with the support of the Train to Gain service, will help employers to identify and deliver an action plan for skills in their organisation - including Skills for Life, Level 2 and all other skills and qualifications.

In the South East, Woking based company, Base Connections Telemarketingwas one of the first businesses to sign the Skills Pledge. Director Julia Scott said: "Developing our people has significant benefits for the business. Our approach to training has a hugely beneficial impact on staff retention. In an industry where turnover rates can be as high as 100%annually, our turnover was only 19%last year."

For a direct route to a more successful and profitable business, register your interest: By contacting the Skills Pledge Number on 08000 15 55 45; or By registering your details on www.traintogain.gov.uk.

*Lord Leitch's Independent Review of Skills, published December 2006

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