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Resources: advice and consultancy
The following organisations offer advice and free or low-cost consultancy that supports third sector organisations to identify their taining needs.
- Train to Gain
- The Cranfield Trust
- Volunteer Centres
Train to Gain
Train to Gain is an independent skills service for England funded by the Learning and Skills Council. It offers one-to-one consultancy, advise on local training providers and funding plus online information and resources.
The training needs consultancy session is free and carried out by a Business Link Skills Adviser. Your Skills will then research a range of training options to meet you needs. The service is currently only available for paid staff.
Train to Gain also offers access to some free training, specifically for individuals without an existing level 2 qualification.
They can also help you access low cost or subsidised training opportunities in your area, where available.
Cranfield Trust
The Cranfield Trust offers free project consultancy to small and medium sized charities involved in addressing poverty, disability or social exclusion.
The Cranfield Trust draws on a register of highly qualified volunteers from the commercial sector who give their time to act as free consultants.
These include HR specialists and CIPD members, who can carry out a Training Needs Analysis. Cranfield Trust also runs an free internet advice service HRNet.
Volunteer Centres
Volunteer Centres are a network of local infrastructure organisations across England. They can offer good practice advice on how to support and develop your volunteers.
Contact details for your local volunteer centre can be found at the Volunteering England website.