£3m Invested into Lancashire Skills Bootcamps to Boost Regional Employability

Lancashire residents are set to benefit from a £3m investment into a new series of Skills Bootcamps to boost their employability and skills in a host of in-demand careers. The Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub has unveiled the latest wave of its successful Skills Bootcamps programme, covering areas that are most needed by employers, including Advanced Manufacturing, Cyber Skills, Green Power, Electric and Hybrid Vehicles, Healthcare and more.

The funded12 to 16-week bootcamps have been designed for adults aged 19 and over and aim to fast-track learners into new careers, help them excel in their current roles, and empower local businesses to upskill their workforces.

The 27 new bootcamps have been developed in collaboration with employers and training providers across the region, with some already open for applications.

The Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub, which supports the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the county’s 15 Local Authorities, says that they are on a mission to make Lancashire the best place to develop a career and do business, and providing people with skills central to the ambitious Lancashire 2050 Vision.

Funded by the Department for Education as part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee, the Skills Bootcamps cater to a diverse range of learners, including those in full-time employment, self-employed, recently unemployed, or those returning to work after a break.

Local employers have the chance to upskill their employees for higher-level roles by enrolling them in a Skills Bootcamp. Businesses with fewer than 250 employees will contribute just 10% of the course cost, while those with 250 or more employees will contribute 30%.

Debbie Francis OBE, Chair of LEP said “It’s fantastic to see further investment into the Skills Bootcamps, which have already had a significant impact on the region’s labour market. Initiatives like these, supported by our employers, will ensure that we are driving forward Lancashire’s economy and further establishing the county as a highly-skilled region for key growth areas like green power and cyber skills.”

Cllr Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council and Lancashire 2050 lead for Employment and Skills, said “It’s no secret that we need more people in Lancashire with enhanced skills in areas like Digital, Technical, Green sectors, Logistics and Healthcare. The latest investment into the Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub Skills Bootcamps has been significantly increased from previous years and will help to drive up the skills that people need to gain sustainable employment.

“We recognise the need to support our local employers in growing the skilled workforce they need to get people into hard-to-fill vacancies and upskill their existing teams with the latest skills needed in industry. We are ensuring that the training providers work very closely with local employers to ensure that these Skills Bootcamps will deliver the technical skills that Lancashire-based businesses need to build and grow now and for the future whilst also providing fantastic opportunities for residents.”

Previous waves of Skills Bootcamps have had a significant impact on Lancashire’s labour market. Over 300 people engaged in Waves 1 and 2, with a further 376 participating in Wave 3. The programme aims to create a balanced, skilled, and inclusive labour market that supports economic well-being, productivity, and growth across the LEP area.

Lancashire residents and businesses are encouraged to take advantage of this exceptional opportunity.

For more information on the range of bootcamps and how to apply, visit the Lancashire Skills Hub website for regular updates:

www.lancashireskillshub.co.uk/skillsbootcamps/

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