Semta launches free online support for SMEs
20/07/2011 Enginuity
Business 2 Skills diagnostic designed to identify skills needs-Industry benchmark and specialist advice delivered in free report-Semta, the sector skills council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies, is today launching a new online diagnostic tool to help businesses become more competitive by identifying and combating skills needs.
As 96 per cent of employers in Semta's sectors have less than 50 employees, the new cost-free tool has been specifically designed to help smaller businesses that may not have resource to tackle skills issues. The tool, available on Semta's website, takes businesses through an online assessment, then provides an immediate benchmark with industry and a breakdown of training priorities with guidance on what to do next.
Philip Whiteman, Chief Executive of Semta, said: "Our priority is in meeting the needs of companies in our sector. With smaller businesses making up such a huge proportion of the 132,000 employers we support, we designed the Business 2 Skills diagnostic so that they can explore skills needs and training options quickly and easily and with no initial financial outlay."
Today's announcement of an online skills diagnostic follows Semta's launch of Business 2 Skills in March 2010 - a tool which provides a totally comprehensive assessment to larger businesses involving their key operational managers. The new online version aims to allow SMEs to take the first step towards improving growth and productivity through skills.
One company that has already benefited from Semta's Business 2 Skills assessment tool is Highland Colour Coaters, which has subsequently implemented a programme of training to ensure customer demands are consistently met and exceeded.
Robert Tait, Quality Director at Highland Colour Coaters, commented: "Using Semta's Business 2 Skills diagnostic tool, I was able to identify that to meet the quality standards the company strategy demanded, staff in my quality department would require up skilling and additional training.
"My local Semta business partner was then able to help me access funds to facilitate this training to start."
The new Business 2 Skills online diagnostic is available from today, 19th July, on Semta's website. For further information or advice on implementing training in your business, please visit www.semta.org.uk, or call customer services on 0845 643 9001.
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