A partnership that aims to develop and improve sport and
physical activity programmes in Scotland's universities is one of
the latest organisations to benefit from financial support from
Skills Development Scotland's Flexible Training Opportunities
Fund.
Scottish Universities Sport (SUS) who are based at 48 Pleasance
in Edinburgh, made use of the innovative programme to put a new
employee, Fiona Mathie, through a two-day Sage accounting
course.
Skills Development Scotland (SDS) covered 50 per cent of the
cost of the training, which, according to SUS executive officer
Jacqui Stone, made all the difference.
She explains:
"We considered undertaking Fiona's training in-house as this
would have been more cost effective, but when we found out about
the Skills Development Scotland funding, it meant we could send her
on a formal course.
"This has helped ensure Fiona gets the best, most up-to-date
training, making her more competent in a shorter timescale. It also
means that other staff haven't been tied up designing and
delivering the training she requires.
"We place a high value on training staff with each employee
agreeing how to spend their continuous professional development
budget each year in conjunction with their line manager. This helps
achieve our targets and makes best use of limited resources."
The Flexible Training Opportunities Fund is operated by Skills
Development Scotland (SDS) with support from the European Social
Fund.
The fund aims to help Scottish organisations of up to 150
employees become more resilient and successful and covers 50 per
cent of training costs up to a maximum of £5,000.
Funding can be used for such things as attaining industry
recognised qualifications, workshops, masterclasses and management
training, but does not extend to statutory training including
health and safety.
Up to 10 employees can be included in the training. For example,
a business can opt to put 10 employees on a course at £500 per
participant, or alternatively, put one employee through 10 courses,
or a number of variations in between.
Applications to the fund must be made by March 31 2012. Further
information and the application form are available elsewhere on
this site. Or call 0800 783 6000 for further details.
The application process is very straightforward and a decision
is usually made within five working days.
Jacqui added: "We found the application process very
straightforward and had approval from SDS in a matter of days. We
have also helped spread the word round sport governing bodies, so
that they too can consider how the initiative can help fulfil their
training objectives."