How we're making it happen
Approved our Skills Strategy, setting out our plans and priorities to empower residents by building the country’s most cohesive, collaborative skills system. We want to be the first UK region to reach NEET Zero, achieve the country’s highest employment rate, reduce economic inactivity and create the most future-ready workforce possible.
Helped over 11,000 participants through training via the Adult Skills Fund, with £7.52m invested across a wide range of programmes in 2025/2026. This support is allowing people to re-engage with education and gain the new skills and qualifications needed to move into better paid work, including job-specific training.
Supported 2,300 residents through our Regional Employment Service, with around 2,000 receiving information and signposting - and a third of people entering training, employment or getting a better paid job.
Secured £15.3m investment from DWP to launch and continue Connect to Work for five years. The programme supports those with health barriers, disabilities and other challenges to move in to or remain in work, as well as assisting employers with recruitment and ongoing in-work support. A successful regional launch has seen the programme receive 300 referrals in just the first three months.
Continued our commitment to improving the region’s employability by supporting nearly 3,000 participants through the Skills Bootcamp Programme. Open to both individuals and businesses, the programme provides free, flexible courses and access to interviews in multiple sectors. Of those supported, 1,290 secured a new job, took on increased responsibilities at work, or, if self-employed, gained additional contracts or business opportunities.
Strengthened the Skills Connect website to provide a simple access point for those seeking information about jobs, training and employment. Residents looking to take the next step in their career visited the site over 250,000 times in the last year, showing a 300% increase on the previous year. By providing up-to-date information on opportunities and how to access them, this resource helps residents explore career options, access training, and find jobs.
Supported the launch of new Technical Excellence Colleges, with Weston College named as a Technical Excellence College for Advanced Manufacturing. With this being recognised for one of our priority growth sectors, this positions the college as pivotal in delivering high-quality training to the next generation, strengthening the future of the industry both regionally and nationally.
Approved a further £5m in funding towards helping a further 1,000 young people into training and work via The Youth Guarantee Trailblazer. This follows a successful pilot year in which the programme engaged nearly 400 young people across the region and supported 125 into employment, education or training. The Mayor’s Youth Support Fund also provides £2m in funding for voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations over the next three years.
Supporting young people on their journey to employment
Through inclusive, high-quality careers education and work experience, we aim to ensure every young person can thrive.
Over the past year, we have been one of a handful of regions at the forefront of testing new initiatives, particularly for young people who are at risk of falling through the gaps.
Since launching in June 2025, Youth Guarantee Trailblazer has been pioneering a new approach for supporting young people aged 18 to 21, testing how local leadership, partnership working, and enhanced support services can help develop confidence, self-esteem and the skills for employment.
With access to benefits including one-to-one advice and practical support, digital devices to get online and free bus travel, so far 125 young people have moved into paid employment, apprenticeships, education or training.
The programme is now set to reach even more young people, with the announcement of the Mayor’s Youth Support Fund. Providing an extra £2m over the next three years, it will expand the scope in partnership with organisations across the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector.
We are also helping young people who are not in mainstream education prepare for work. A new approach is being tested to support those facing behavioural, medical, emotional or support.
More than 70 young people have already gained valuable work experience in areas including engineering, law, construction and the creative industries.
The Careers & Enterprise Company is now funding the programme across alternative education settings for the next academic year, giving more than 100 young people in the West of England the chance to take part.
These programmes are bringing schools, colleges and employers closer together, helping more young people find routes into work and further learning.
