Gist signs Skills Pledge

Supply chain specialist Gist has signed the governments Skills Pledge at a recent event in Westminster, further demonstrating its commitment to employee training and development.
 
By making the Skills Pledge, employers commit to support all employees to acquire basic literacy and numeracy skills and work towards their first Level 2 qualification the equivalent of five good GCSEs in the areas relevant to their business. The pledge is increasingly seen as a badge of a good employer.
 
Martin Gwynn, Gist CEO formally made the Skills Pledge at the National employers, national solutions conference, convened by the National Employer Service in Whitehall, along with ten other large companies including  Phones4u, BUPA Care Homes, Network Rail and British Gas.
 
The Minister for Skills and Apprenticeships Lord Young, at the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, said:  Its great to see that businesses are really moving forward and giving their workforce the chance to prosper and get on. The Skills Pledge is really gaining impetus and the more organisations that get involved, the greater the chance our people, our companies and our communities will prosper against this tough economic backdrop.
 
By making the Skills Pledge employers are recognising each and every employee helping to shape a better future for them and their business. We are calling for even more organisations to get involved and make a difference especially in these challenging economic times. Now - more than ever skilling up your workforce so theyre more adaptable is critical to ensuring your business is resilient.
 
Hilary Chadwick, Director of the Learning and Skills Councils National Employer Service, which specialises in funding and supporting large companies such as Gist said: Im delighted that Gist has made a public commitment to training. It makes me confident that even in a tough business climate, large employers see the value of developing the skills of their people and in doing so are investing in their own future productivity.
 
Martin Gwynn, Gist CEO said: We develop our business by developing our people and I would urge everyone to take full advantage of this opportunity. If we are to continue to be at the forefront of supply chain distribution we need to ensure our people have the appropriate training. What is particularly exciting about this training is that it has the potential to benefit people beyond the workplace in many aspects of their daily lives.
 
 
Employers interested in making the Skills Pledge should visit the website at:  www.lsc.gov.uk/skillspledge