Private companies will benefit from a workplace training scheme aimed at improving employee skills.

Unison's workplace training scheme was initially developed for the public sector, but it is now being extended to private firms.

The UK's biggest union believes companies are in need of the specially designed courses to help boost employee skills and promote the idea of learning in the workplace.

"Our union has the knowledge and experience of delivering training to those that need it the most," Dave Prentis, Unison general secretary, told Personnel Today.

"Some private companies don't have the resources to offer training to these workers. We can offer bespoke courses that meet their needs."

English as a second language, IT skills and literacy are some of the courses on offer, aimed at helping both the staff and the company improve overall performance.