The first trainees have officially begun learning through Kim McGuinness's new £250 million adult skills programme, marking the launch of one of the most significant workforce development initiatives the North East has seen in decades.
The scheme, which forms a cornerstone of the Mayor's New Deal for North East Workers, aims to strengthen employment opportunities across key sectors including construction, manufacturing, digital and technology, foundational industries and the rapidly expanding green economy.
Skills providers from across the region have now opened their doors to adults looking to gain new qualifications, retrain for emerging industries or progress their careers.
Backed by an annual investment of £80 million, the programme is designed to create direct routes into employment in some of the North East's most in-demand sectors. The initiative was first unveiled during the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority Cabinet meeting in March and represents a major transformation in how adult education and workforce training will be delivered across the region.
Developed through extensive collaboration between the North East MSA, colleges, training providers, local authorities, employers and voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations, the programme has been shaped to ensure training aligns closely with labour market demand.
Mayor of the North East Kim McGuinness said:
“I said we’d change the way we deliver adult skills training in the North East, and now we’re doing just that.
“Every bit of our new skills investment is focused on one thing – helping people move from training straight into proper jobs in our growing industries.
“That could be in the green economy, digital and tech, in the foundational jobs we all rely on so much, like nursery teaching or working in a shop, pub or restaurant, or in the construction roles we need to build the homes of the future.
“Support is there for people to get the skills, confidence and fair chances they deserve.”
The programme is intended to address longstanding skills shortages while ensuring local people have access to opportunities emerging from the region's growing clean energy, technology and innovation sectors. It will also provide targeted support for the foundational economy, encompassing healthcare, social care, logistics and community services.
Particular emphasis will be placed on supporting adults with low qualifications, individuals facing health-related barriers to employment, women entering technical industries, care-experienced young adults and those seeking to progress within their current roles.
The programme is structured around three key pillars:
- Skills Foundation: Developing essential skills, confidence and employability.
- Skills Activation: Delivering technical training and apprenticeship opportunities.
- Skills for Work: Offering employer-designed courses linked directly to job vacancies.
The Mayor also described the initiative as central to her ambition of making the North East "the home of real opportunity".
By 2029, the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority expects the programme to increase employment rates, help more residents move into higher-paid roles and strengthen the pipeline of skilled workers entering priority industries. It also aims to reduce economic inactivity and improve access to training for communities that have historically faced barriers to participation.
The launch signals a major step forward in the region's efforts to build a skilled workforce capable of supporting economic growth, inward investment and future industries.
Image credit: iStock
