More than £64 million is being invested in skills and employment support across the East Midlands as part of a major drive to help residents gain qualifications, improve career prospects and move into sustainable employment.
The funding, led by Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, through the East Midlands Combined County Authority, is supporting a range of programmes designed to help people enter, return to and progress within the workforce.
The investment spans initiatives including the Adult Skills Fund, Skills Bootcamps, the Youth Guarantee, Connect to Work and Connected Futures, with support tailored to different stages of people's careers.
Early results suggest the programmes are already having a positive impact. More than 300 young people have progressed into employment, further education or training after completing the first Youth Guarantee Trailblazer programme. Meanwhile, one in four Skills Bootcamp participants has improved their career prospects by securing a new job, promotion or additional contracts.
Mayor Claire Ward said:
“Having the right skills can make a real difference to people’s lives. For a young person, it can mean getting that first job. For someone who has been out of work, it can give them a way back in. And for someone who wants a change, it can give them the skills to take their career in a new direction.
“We’re putting money into training that leads to real jobs and working closely with colleges, employers and local organisations to ensure people can get the support they need.
“There are already some really positive results, with young people moving into jobs, education and training and adults gaining new skills. I want more people across the East Midlands to have that same chance, and to see this investment making a difference in their everyday lives.”
The Youth Guarantee programme aims to ensure young people can access education, training or employment opportunities. Following the success of the initial Trailblazer programme, a further seven projects worth almost £4 million are expected to launch in the coming months.
Alongside this, the Careers Hub continues to work with schools and colleges across the region to help young people understand their career options and make informed decisions about their futures.
For adults, the Adult Skills Fund is helping residents gain qualifications and build skills that meet local labour market needs. This includes access to Free Courses for Jobs, which are designed to support people into sectors experiencing workforce demand.
The programme is also reaching some of the region's most disadvantaged communities, with 21.8% of learners participating in EMCCA's adult skills programme coming from the 10% most deprived areas of the East Midlands.
Skills Bootcamps remain a key part of the authority's skills strategy, providing short, flexible courses developed in partnership with employers to address workforce shortages and equip learners with job-ready skills.
Additional support is available through Connect to Work, which helps individuals facing barriers to employment, while Connected Futures focuses on supporting young people who need extra assistance to move towards education, training or work.
The £64 million investment forms part of a wider portfolio of 187 schemes currently being delivered by EMCCA, representing a combined value of almost £320 million.
Progress across these programmes is due to be reviewed by EMCCA's Board as part of the first consolidated report measuring delivery against the Mayor's Corporate Plan. The report brings together 60 delivery commitments across six strategic ambitions, including nine focused specifically on improving skills and supporting access to good work.
Working with colleges, training providers, employers, councils and other local partners, EMCCA hopes the investment will strengthen the regional economy while creating more opportunities for residents to develop new skills and access rewarding careers.
Image credit: iStock
