£2 million Priority Skills Fund launches across the Westcountry
Metro Mayor Dan Norris has announced the pot of cash to help unemployed people back into work, and encourage people to learn new skills
In a bid to help long-term unemployed people, a £2 million scheme has been launched across the Westcountry by the Metro Mayor, Dan Norris.
The WECA Mayor says the Priority Skills Fund is vital during this era of labour shortages, to make sure people have the right knowledge to get back into work.
It's hoped the cash, which local businesses can apply for, will help develop an army of skilled workers across our part of the world, as hundreds of people are set to benefit from the scheme, designed to plug skills gaps in the region.
This includes courses to train up an army of retrofitters, electric vehicle mechanics and other workers needed as the region transitions to a net-zero future, a key priority for the Mayor, and initiatives to increase the take up and completion of the hundreds of high-quality apprenticeships available in the West right now.
There's also funding to run programmes of support to help the long-term unemployed back into work, as well as courses which will support young people in need of a helping hand to get skills needed to pursue careers in sectors with high job vacancies.
The Mayor says in an era of labour shortages - in the West, and nationwide - the focus of jobs and skills provision must change.
He said: “Wherever I go, companies of all sizes tell me they can’t fill all their vacancies. That's the case whether we are talking welders, chefs or electricians. The truth is there are plenty of jobs out there, and in some key sectors as well - it’s my job as Mayor to make sure local people have the right skills to benefit from them, which in turn will help the West build on its strengths and develop new ones. That is what my 'Priority Skills Fund' is all about.
“Skills and training are a really important part of my role as Metro Mayor. I’m proud of this £2 million fund from my Mayoral Combined Authority which will go a long way to plugging skills gaps in key priority areas for my West of England region. This in turn means more talented local people accessing good-quality, well-paid secure jobs, while ensuring our West of England, and its residents can face for the future with confidence.”
Who can apply for the fund?
- Colleges
- Training providers of all types
- Community groups
- Employers
- Other organisations
The closing date for applications is 11 September 2023, which you can find out more about here.