The package, developed in partnership with Crown Paints, allows staff to answers questions designed to assess their current skills levels. The software will then provide guidance on possible courses that can be taken to meet the company’s needs.

Terry Watts, chief executive of Proskills UK, said that the programme will be particularly useful now that work-based qualifications are unitised.

He added: The programme gets staff to score themselves to assess their competency. For example, a number two printer may be asked whether they are proficient at certain tasks on a given machine. The software will then plot the next steps that a company can take.

We are currently piloting the product in companies across our sectors, including the print industry. Feedback so far has been good but it may be difficult convincing printers to spare the time to use the programme, even though it would be a wise decision in the long term.

Derek Rodd, Crown Paints management development manager, said: ProFile is the way forward for meaningful performance and development reviews. Its innovative combination of National Occupational Standards and company-specific requirements, ensures individuals have the correct essential skills to perform at the required level to achieve company goals and objectives.
 
Additional plans for ProFile include direct links from to a database of searchable national and regional training providers.