Over £11 million has been awarded to local training providers and employers across the West of England for Skills Bootcamps – the largest investment the region has ever received for the scheme.
Around 3,300 local people are expected to benefit from free, flexible courses available in sectors including digital, creative and culture, health, and logistics. Skills Bootcamps offer this training for up to 16 weeks, with participants fast-tracked to an interview with a local employer or able to secure progression in their existing role.
The funding, secured by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, will allow for the expansion of existing training programmes and the introduction of new courses in key sectors. These Bootcamps help local people to gain the skills they need to thrive in industries across the West and meet growing demand across the region from businesses.
Helen Godwin, the new Mayor of the West of England, said:
“This is a significant investment in people’s futures across our region: record funding that will open doors for thousands of residents, giving them the chance to gain the skills they need to get a better-paid job.
“We’ve already seen great results, with 87% of recent learners supported by their employers to attend a Skills Bootcamp furthering their careers.
“The West of England has the strongest recent economic growth of any combined authority region thanks to our workers and our businesses. People here are ambitious and want to build better futures for themselves and their families.”
Shaunai, who took part in a Skills Bootcamps course, said:
“Taking part in the Skills Bootcamp was a transformative experience for me. My employer has been impressed with the skills I’ve gained, and I’ve taken on additional responsibilities in line with my growing expertise. The Bootcamp has been instrumental in boosting my confidence and career prospects.”
Chris from BPM Contracting Services Ltd, whose employees attended a Skills Bootcamps, said:
“Prior to having the qualifications that we've got now, we couldn't have done the level of work that we want to do within this sector, so we can really grow this area now. I think the biggest impact is giving us the ability to tender and bid for a whole range of new work that we could not have been involved in previously. And I think that as time goes on... there's going to be more and more requirements to have these sorts of qualifications."
Councillor Paul Roper, Cabinet Member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development at Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES), said:
“It’s excellent news that this additional funding can help residents and businesses to meet their full potential, increase inclusive pathways into work and help businesses to access the skills they need. We know that there are many businesses in B&NES that could benefit from bootcamps and we hope they can take this opportunity to upskill their workforce and support business growth.”
Councillor Tony Dyer, the Leader of Bristol City Council, said:
“Funding on this scale is going to make a significant difference in supporting Bristolians to develop skills that are relevant for our city’s key business sectors and therefore improve their opportunities for employment and progression. It’s a win-win situation for local employers and those seeking employment or looking to learn more in a specific sector.
“With Skills Bootcamp offering courses for those aged 19 and over, this initiative will complement our involvement in the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer helping young people across Bristol into work, education and training.”
Councillor Mike Bell, the Leader of North Somerset Council, said:
“This is great news for the whole of the West of England area including our North Somerset training providers, employers and residents. We encourage any North Somerset resident aged 19 or over looking to get on the career ladder, retrain or return to work to step forward and benefit from free courses and learn new skills in a number of sectors including digital, creative, culture, health and logistics. Working with a local employer or training provider, the Skills Bootcamp scheme is sure to be life changing, leading to improved employment opportunities, increased wages and new skills. To find out more about the training available in North Somerset, email Opportunity North Somerset on SkillsSupport@n-somerset.gov.uk.”
Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, the Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said:
“Skills Bootcamps are fantastic training programmes that provide employers and training providers with funding to meet their most pressing skills shortages. All successful bids have been through a rigorous selection process that means the training they provide meets a local need and has a real impact on employment. In South Gloucestershire, participants have been trained through the largest of our institutions, like UWE and SGS College as well as smaller employers and training providers. The range of bootcamps available is also varied and responsive with people in the area having access to training ranging from Green Skills to Creative Production, TV and Film.”
To find out more or sign up, head to the Skills Bootcamps website: https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/what-we-do/employment-skills/skills-bootcamps/
A record £11.3 million funding has been approved in the following areas, with a further £0.4 million remaining:
•Professional services: £2.8 million
•Digital: £2.3 million
•Creative and culture (including visitor economy and hospitality): £2 million
•Logistics: £1.9 million
•Construction in the built environment: £1.5 million
•Early years, education and training, and health: £0.4 million
•Advanced manufacturing and engineering: £0.3 million
Funded by the Department for Education’s National Skills Fund, Skills Bootcamps are a key pillar of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee.
