Almost 100 new free training courses launched in Devon and Cornwall
Thousands of adults across Devon and Cornwall have the opportunity to learn new skills with almost 100 free Skills Bootcamp courses now on offer.
Train4Tomorrow Skills Bootcamps has 2,000 places available for adults across the region who want to ‘upskill’, change careers or explore new opportunities.
The latest wave of Train4Tomorrow Skills Bootcamps, delivered by Devon County Council in partnership with Cornwall Council, directly responds to local skills need in priority sectors such as childcare, hospitality, healthcare and an increased focus on renewables.
For the first time, Skills Bootcamps in Early Years are now available, with 120 places available to fast-track individuals wanting to work in this sector and progress onto an accelerated level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeships. These Skills Bootcamps will support the growing demand for childcare provision.
The tutor-led Skills Bootcamps are flexible courses lasting from 2 to16 weeks, giving adults (aged 19+) the opportunity to build in-demand skills. The programme focusses on filling skills gaps within the local economy, with input from employers into the design and implementation to ensure all training aligns to their specific skills need.
Councillor Rufus Gilbert, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery and Skills, said: "Providing skills training in sectors which are growing and in demand such as childcare, health care, hospitality and renewable energy is vital to ensure that we have a strong, thriving economy in years to come.
“2,000 adults will be able to benefit over the next year and learn new skills, which is great news, and it's encouraging to see new sectors also being added to the programme all the time.
“Whether you're looking to find work, change career or further your opportunities in your current role there's a wide range of Skills Bootcamps on offer."
The programme is free for individuals looking to change career, for the self-employed who are looking to develop skills to transform and grow their business, and to enable those currently not working to gain skills which will help them enter the workplace.
For employers wishing to upskill their staff, a contribution to the course cost is required, 10 per cent for Small Medium Enterprises and 30 per cent for larger businesses.
And for those looking to move into new employment, an interview offer with an employer is guaranteed on completion of the Skills Bootcamp.
For Louise Worlin in Exeter, this interview opened the door into a new career.
She said she has always enjoyed helping people and wanted to work in healthcare and now her children are older when she saw the advert for the Healthcare Skills Bootcamp it was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.
The 12-week course at Exeter College includes talks from different areas of the NHS as well as practical sessions to help people build skills and knowledge needed in healthcare.
Now, as result of the Skills Bootcamp, Louise has successfully secured herself a role with the NHS.
She said: “What the course gave me was an insight into all the information I needed to go into the interview [with the NHS], looking at their values and duty of care.”
Working with 20+ providers, Train4Tomorrow has almost 100 Skills Bootcamps on offer across the region until March 2025.
To find out more about Skills Bootcamps in Devon and Cornwall visit: https://www.train4tomorrow.org.uk/
