Ufi and Investors in People have drawn up a three-year collabrative strategy in a bid to develop workforce skills.

The agreement sets out shared principles and a framework for joint working between the two.

Ufi, the organisation responsible for learndirect/UK online and IIP said their first collaborations would include raising awareness during Adult Learners Week and research projects looking at business improvement and the role of e-learning.

The agreement also outlines a focus on two key areas identified by government, increasing the take-up of Skills for Life courses, covering literacy, numeracy and basic ICT skills and building relationships with SMEs.

Dr Ann Limb, Chief Executive of Ufi, said: “Working in partnership with Investors in People UK gives Ufi opportunities to share resources in key areas like research.

"It will also give us increased access to employers allowing us to further develop good practice and reach even more learners.”

IIP chief executive Ruth Spellman said that the new agreement would mark a new direction for the IIP Standard, which provides a framework for improving business performance and competitiveness through good practice in human resource development.

“In the future we hope the relationship will further promote the take-up of the Standard and Models increasing productivity and the bottom line for UK businesses.”