Funding boost for construction skills bootcamps

The funding boost – which comes from the £43m announced last November to establish pioneering new skills bootcamps - will focus on developing test models that can be scaled to other areas.

Skills bootcamps offer free, flexible courses lasting up to 16 weeks covering areas including construction, digital and technical. The courses are open to adults aged 19 and over and provide a chance to learn sector-specific skills and offer a fast-track to an interview with a local employer at the end.

The West Midlands Combined Authority will receive £475,000 to train people for green jobs in the construction industry. While Devon County Council will receive £40,645 to expand their successful brickwork bootcamps to help deliver the talent pipeline needed by employers in the Heart of the South West. Both areas have also been running successful digital skills bootcamps including in software development, cyber security, data analytics and digital healthcare.

Skills bootcamps are currently running in six areas across England, with over 2,700 learners participating so far.

Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills Gillian Keegan said:

“It is fantastic that we are expanding our construction skills bootcamps to help even more people gain the vital skills the sector is crying out for.

“Skills bootcamps are unique, giving people the chance to upskill or retrain for free over a short period of time, with a clear line of sight to a job at the end.

“I’d encourage anyone in the West Midlands or the South West who is looking for new opportunities in construction to find out more”.

The skills bootcamp programme is being expanded into other areas of the country this year. The £43 million investment from the National Skills Fund, will enable greater availability across the country and a wider range of course subjects on offer to meet the skills needs of local areas.