Small business managers are being urged not to cut corners in an initiative designed to raise their skills base to the tune of £30 million.

John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills said that small business managers should resolve to make 2008 a year to improve their leadership skills and boost their competitiveness.

Funding for tailor-made management and leadership training provided through the government's 'Train to Gain' service is rising from £4 million to £30 million a year for the next three years with the overall budget set to double to over £1 billion in 2010/11. The funding will benefit employers of between 10 and 249 staff.

Denham said: "To really succeed in an increasingly competitive climate, every small business manager needs to get the best from their employees. Despite the time pressures they face, no small business manager can afford to cut corners on training – either for their employees, or themselves."

The 'Train to Gain' helpline offers employers access to impartial and independent skills brokers that help them identify their basic or higher level skills needs. The government says that since its launch in 2006, Train To Gain has helped more than 52,000 employers and enabled over 240,000 employees to undertake training.