WMCA awarded £11.25m to deliver free digital, green and health skills bootcamps

More free training is now available to support those looking to start a new career in digital, health and green industries thanks to a Government skills grant awarded to the region.

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has secured the further £11.25 milllion from the government’s National Skills Fund expansion to expand bootcamp delivery in key sectors of our regional economy.

The bootcamps are free of charge for learners and equip West Midlands residents with digital skills, giving them to access roles in areas like coding, cybersecurity and digital marketing.

They support the unemployed, those seeking a career change, as well as employed people looking to gain the digital skills required to secure more responsibility or a promotion with their current employer.

Bootcamps have been successfully delivered within the West Midlands region since 2019, with over 1,000 residents achieving a positive outcome after receiving training, this includes 50% participants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Based on this success the WMCA has bolstered its bootcamp provision with more funding. This new funding will support a further 3,500 West Midlands residents to upskill and reskill in some of the regions priority sectors and key areas for growth.

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “A key part of my mayoral mission is to help young people right across our region find routes into work as part of my 100k jobs plan. Our bootcamps have been a very effective way of doing just that. That's why it's great news we've managed to secure this new £11.25 million funding package from the Government's National Skills Fund to expand our provision.

"With a focus on retraining and upskilling local residents in key sectors of our economy, we're well placed to bounce back post pandemic and supercharge our recovery - helping local people to access the high-quality, well-paid jobs of the future. I look forward to seeing lives changed for the better."

Clare Hatton, director of employment and skills at WMCA, said: “Bootcamps represent such an amazing opportunity for our local businesses. With unprecedented pre-pandemic growth in our economy, the West Midlands has been the place to locate and grow businesses over recent years. 

“With thousands of new jobs created and companies bringing their flagship operations to the West Midlands, never has there been a more important time for us to make sure our residents have the skills they need to compete in the jobs market and ensure businesses can acquire the talent they need and that’s why I’m thrilled to announce this new funding for residents of the West Midlands.”

Cllr George Duggins, the WMCA portfolio holder for productivity and skills and leader of Coventry City Council, added: “A skilled workforce is a productive workforce, and it is only through giving them the relevant skills, training and support, that they can play their part in driving forward the West Midlands’ economy. This new funding for bootcamps is a great example of investing in opportunities for our people.”