The Mayoral Priority Skills Fund (MPSF) provides flexible grant funding to meet current priority skills gaps in the region. These priorities have been identified through robust intelligence gathered showing there are gaps in current provision and there no other current funding available to meet this need.
MPSF funded the University of the West of England (UWE) to deliver The Skills Pathways Programme in response to the need for modular and stackable training for SME employees. This modular training addresses various sector specific skills needs including Leadership, Sustainability, Digital and Collaborative Working. The aim is to focus on the challenges and opportunities SME employees currently experience at work, this flexible programme is tailored to meet their needs, develop new skills, add value for business organisations and boost economic growth in the West of England region.
Ross Gibbens, director of Pinkmans Bakery in Bristol, enrolled on the UWE Bristol Skills Pathway Programme aiming to further develop his leadership skills and to integrate intelligent technologies into the business. He described the programme as, “Enlightening, validating and empowering”
Since working through online self-study modules and attending tutor-led live sessions, Ross and his team have been looking into installing a better digital infrastructure to help with communication and due diligence as well as building a long-term roadmap for digital.
Regarding the impact the training has had on him:
“On a personal level, I feel I have become a more robust ‘boss’, communicating better and building stronger relationships with the team because they see the business is investing in them as individuals…. I would recommend UWE Skills Pathway Programme because the learning is deeper than just academic; it impacts our day-to-day interactions and thought processes as individuals.”
Applications are now open for the second wave of the UWE Bristol Skills Pathway Programme.
To apply, visit the UWE Bristol website: Skills Pathway Programme - Businesses and employers |UWE Bristol
If you want to know more, email the team at workforceskills@uwe.ac.uk
For more details please follow our MPSF page - Mayoral Priority Skills Fund - West of England Combined Authority (westofengland-ca.gov.uk).
