The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
£4.9m funding boost for skills bootcamp
Funding worth nearly £5 million has been approved to set up ‘skills bootcamps’ to help Peterborough residents improve their job prospects.
The Combined Authority applied for £4.9 million to deliver the bootcamps, which are flexible courses of up to 16 weeks teaching a variety of in-demand skills which also guarantee an interview with a local employer.
A total of 1,780 bootcamp places are planned to be funded from April 1 this year through to March 31, 2023. Skills Bootcamps are fully funded for individuals. Where small and medium sized employers choose to upskill its existing workforce through a Skills Bootcamp, the business will receive a 90% fee reduction, with larger employers receiving a 70% fee reduction.
The only eligibility criteria are that people have the right to work in the UK and must be aged 19 or over, are employed, self-employed, unemployed or are changing or returning to careers.
The technical skills on offer are linked to those needed by local employers, increasing the likelihood of learners securing a job or advancing their careers. Bootcamps can also be used to help people into apprenticeships.
The courses are at Level 3-5, with Level 3 equivalent to an A-level and Level 5 equivalent to a foundation degree or Higher National Diploma (HND).
Mayor Dr Nik Johnson said: “It is very welcome that the Combined Authority has successfully applied for nearly £5 million from Government to provide funded courses to help upskill people.
“These Skills Bootcamps are targeted specifically at the skills needs in our economy, meaning that learners have a
great opportunity to accelerate their careers and earnings potential. A guaranteed interview with a local employer as part of the Skills Bootcamps only strengthens that link between learning and earning. “With pressure on people’s incomes this year, one of the best ways the Combined Authority can help people is through courses designed with improving job prospects and local employers in mind.
“This new funding offer is very good news for our region.”
Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills Alex Burghart said: “Skills Bootcamps are a highly effective way to learn skills at pace in a range of in demand sectors including digital, construction and green transport.”