The government’s new flagship employer training programme has reached 50,000 employees, Skills Minister Phil Hope has announced.

Speaking at the National Business Awards this week, Hope said that Train to Gain, Launched earlier this year, had a “very successful start” with 10,000 employers using the scheme.

But the scheme still has a long way to go to meet its target of getting half-a-million learners to a level 2 qualification, equivalent to 5 good GCSEs.

Train to Gain acts as a skills broker service. It aims to provide employers with impartial advice and access to training by matching the employer’s needs with a suitable provider.

Run by the Learning and Skills Council, this is an England only scheme. For more details go to www.traintogain.gov.uk.