Skills and Workforce Development

It is recognised that there is a need to improve the local skills base and in turn attract companies productivity and competitiveness.  This should increase wage levels and retain a strong employment base. It will also contribute to a knowledge based economy.

Rural Enterprise Gateway - Training for Rural Businesses

Funding is available to REG members interested in undertaking training activities or skills development....

Through the Rural Enterprise Gateway project, members have access to grant support to meet the training needs of their rural business, either as part of their group or individually.

To be eligible, the person or business must be in a REG group. This fund has been reserved for those businesses unable to access Defra's VTS training funds through REG.

Training courses can cover: ICT skills, business skills, marketing skills, managing yourself and your staff, new ways of working, technical skills, production and processing skills, and much more. Damian Culshaw is Farm & Rural Business Advisor for Dorset and can be contacted for information about group support and training through the project, and for help with applications and the claim procedure to access funding through the project.Tel: 01235 771846.

Workforce Development Programme

Business Link Wessex

This aims to:

• Motivate and stimulate managers in SMEs to participate in learning, raising their skill levels and increase company productivity;
• Extend the access and provision of demand led learning and training to their workforce;
• Inform the management development network and partners of programme outcomes to inform future management development activity.

Wessex Training Centre

The training centre has been established at the Longmead Industrial Estate to provide convenient access to vocational training necessary for local businesses.

North Dorset Skills Centre

North Doset Skills Centre is an outreach training centre of Yeovil College, providing a range of learning opportunities for local people.  There are a range of full and part time courses to help you achieve your learning goals.  General enquiries: 01747 858683.

Dorset Centre for Rural Skills (DCRS)

http://www.dorsetruralskills.co.uk is a training centre specialising in one day and weekend training courses in sustainable building, traditional renovation and rural crafts.
Other Links to Training Centres

Arts Institute Bournemouth

Bournemouth and Poole College

Bournemouth University

Delta Group

Education and Youth Services ltd

Paragon Training

Salisbury College

Weymouth College

Yeovil College