Joint Investment Framework - employees
By 2012 85% of jobs will require skills and competences at or around Level 3.
If you left school without many qualifications, or you’ve reached a stage where you want to improve your prospects and you live in England, we may be able to help. And it won’t cost you a penny!
Time to Learn
A new source of funding called JIF, the Joint Investment Framework helps people just like you to gain additional skills and qualifications. There’s no age limit, you’ll be fully supported and your course fees will be paid.
JIF funding can help you to:
- Brush up your language, literacy and numeracy skills
- Gain an NVQ Level 2, 3 or 4 qualification
- Get on an Apprenticeship.
Find out more
Ask your TRAINING AND EDUCATION LEAD about the training opportunities that can be accessed through JIF funding.
If you’re in a Trade Union, you can also find out more by speaking to your Union Learning Rep. They help their members to access training and learning support.
Customer Service Administrator Marion Williams said the following:
“There was an opportunity for me to do my NVQ and I’ve been doing customer services and customer support for quite a few years now and I’ve never been given that opportunity before so I thought well why not, let’s go for it!”
Does it apply to everyone
It will concentrate on healthcare staff in NHS Bands 1-4 staff and equivalent. That excludes most Management and Clinical staff, and concentrates on less qualified staff to help boost their skills and confidence.
How much money is involved
There will be an injection of up to £100m a year for the initial three years, with subsequent years being subject to review.
Is the JIF the same thing as the KSF
No, the KSF (NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework) is a separate process linked with individuals’ personal development plans and appraisals. However, the JIF will ensure that skills shortages and skills needs identified as part of this process can then be funded subject to local availability.
What is a Union Learning Representative
Union Learning Representative is an individual whose role is promoting, brokering and helping to support the delivery of learning at the workplace.
Their aims are to raise awareness and interest in training and development, especially among the lowest skilled workers and those with literacy and numeracy needs.
What is an Apprenticeship
An Apprenticeship is an agreement between an employer, the LSC and a worker, to ensure that the worker receives high quality training to achieve a relevant qualification. See related pages for more info.
What is an NVQ
A National Vocational Qualification is a work-related, competence based qualification. It is based on national occupational standards, which reflects the skills and knowledge needed to do a job effectively. The national standards are recognised by employers throughout the country. NVQs are available at five levels, from 1 to 5.
What is Skills for Life
Skills for Life is a national strategy to improve the literacy and numeracy skills of two million adults and young people by 2010.
Training is available for NHS employees who do not hold a Level 2 qualification. It can be provided either as a stand alone qualification or as part of a level 2 course.
What is the LSC
The Learning and Skills Council was set up to improve the skills of England’s young people and adults.
What sort of training could I get
If you are in NHS Bands 1-4 and equivalent you could expect training in some of the following: language, literacy and numeracy training (Skills for Life), health-related qualifications, clinical qualifications, administration, finance, information technology, customer care, facilities management, cleaning, catering, portering, grounds maintenance and transport, to name a few.
What will I get out of it as an employee
If you are in one of the target groups, there will be increased access to funding for training in shortage skills areas. The whole idea is to increase workforce skills to ensure that patients get a better level of care, and that staff are better trained to meet the changing needs of patients.
What will it cost
As an employee, it won’t cost you anything. Talk to your line manager about study leave arrangements in your area.
What will it do
It will improve patient care, and deliver safe, effective and high quality healthcare in England, by raising the level of skills of the workforce.
Whose idea was it
In 2006, the independent Leitch Review of Skills stated that as a nation, we must develop training to meet specific, known skills shortages in the workforce. To read more on the Leitch review please see related documents.
Will I get more pay
The JIF is not about pay, but as people increase their skills, there is a chance of promotion into better-paid work.