18/04/2008
The North East region has announced that all the NHS organisations in the region have signed up to the Skills Pledge. The Pledge is particularly important as the focus is on supporting staff to acquire qualifications at level 2 (5 GCSEs) and in giving them the skills to access further training.
The North East region is already having a major impact in developing skills. Almost 3000 staff are undertaking learning programmes from those working as domestics and assistants at entry level to Assistant Practioners at level 4 of the Agenda for Change pay bands.
The signing of the Skills Pledge has been driven by a Joint Investment Framework between the Learning and Skills Council and Strategic Health Authorities in England. The JIF will provide up to £100 million additional funding for the development per annum.
Ian Dalton, chief executive of the North East Strategic Health Authority (SHA) said: "By making this promise we are demonstrating our commitment to ensuring that the basic skills needs of NHS staff across the region are met. We are also going the extra mile in training and developing many of our non-professionally qualified workforce by giving them the skills they need to modernise services and deliver the best patient care."
Chris Roberts, regional director, LSC North East added: "The training will be delivered by a range of health specialist training institutions, colleges and other providers, depending on the individual needs of employers and their staff. This means that many employees in our region are benefiting from the training they need to do their job, and this training can and will be delivered in a number of ways, offering choice and variety."
Andrew Harvey, Regional Director of the North East at Skills for Health said:
"Skills for Health is also working with the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills to develop programmes which will address the needs identified in the skills pledge, helping organisations deliver their commitment to staff.
What is the Skills Pledge?
The Skills Pledge is a voluntary commitment by the Chief Executive/Chief Operating Officer (or other board member) of a organisation to support all its employees to develop their basic literacy and numeracy skills to read more click here.
To read more on the skills pledge and the guidance for health sector employers in England click here.
To watch a video on all the NHS organisations signing the skills pledge in the North East click here.
Want to know more?
Contact Andrew Harvey
