Mayor backs North East workers with £17 million skills and training programme

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness today hailed the Skills Bootcamps as a key plank of her ambition to make the region the home of real opportunity, empowering people to learn new skills and find the right career for them – as well as supporting local companies to retrain employees.

The programme will span a wide range of courses in subjects such as hospitality, digital marketing and cyber security, as well as low carbon heating, green technologies such as offshore wind and retrofitting, and rail engineering.

Skills Bootcamp courses are designed to be flexible and can be completed in 16 weeks or less – meaning individuals can learn new skills easily and quickly at a time that suits them.

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “As Mayor I have said I will deliver a new deal for North East workers to make our region the home of real opportunity.  Skills and training are at the heart of my ambition, so we can connect people to the jobs we are creating through new investment in industry.

“Skills Bootcamps can really change people’s lives by empowering them to retrain and find a new career in a way which works alongside already busy lives. This is all part of building a proud future for the North East which works for everyone.”

Councillor Tracey Dixon, Cabinet Member for Education, inclusion and skills, said:  “People in the North East will be able to retrain, improve their skills and even step into their dream careers thanks to more funding and wider opportunities we are providing.  

“This funding will support even more adults across the region to take advantage of these free courses and get on the path to sustainable careers in key growth sectors.”

The Skills Bootcamps programme, delivered through funding from the Department for Education, 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 Kanvee from Wallsend in North Tyneside, this interview opened the door into a new career in Health and Social Care as a care assistant at Dale Care.

Kanvee was referred to Winnovation by Walking With In North Tyneside, which is one of the first ports of call in North Tyneside for asylum seekers and refugees who have been dispersed by the Home Office. There she progressed from a Multiply course onto a Skills Bootcamp.

Speaking about her experience Kanvee said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the learning, especially the Bootcamp where I gained new skills and knowledge. The tutor was excellent and provided a great experience. Thank you, Winnovation Training, for everything!”

The scheme benefits employers by enabling them to fill specific skills shortages and team vacancies – increasing productivity within their organisations.

Details of courses available can be found at Find a Course - National Careers Service. 

For more information about Skills Bootcamps please visit https://growthhub.northeast-ca.gov.uk/skills-bootcamps