The training courses are being run by the leading mediation and conflict management provider, Consensio. Government is seeking to create a shift in the culture of employment relations in the UK, whereby mediation is recognised as a cost-effective tool for resolving conflict. It is committed to increasing the use of mediation in order to ensure fewer cases end up at Employment Tribunals which is often more costly for SMEs and the wider business community.
Under the terms of the year-long pilot, Consensio will train employees from SMEs in the Cambridge region and also the Manchester area to become accredited mediators and help support and implement the mediation pilot in the region.
Following the in-depth training programme, mediators will subsequently form ‘mediation networks’ in their respective regions to offer impartial, third party mediation services to each other’s businesses at a low-cost. This should remove one of the most systemic obstacles to using mediation.
Those interested in participating should fill out an expression of interest form, found at www.bis.gov.uk/policies/employment-matters/rights/dispute-resolution, or contact Nicola Cullen at nicola.cullen@bis.gsi.gov.uk.
The deadline for applications is Tuesday 31st July.