£900,000 Future Skills programme is launched

A new three-year programme of support for apprenticeships at businesses in new and emerging technologies has been launched by Warwickshire Skills Hub.

The Future Skills programme will see a £300,000 per year investment into a range of schemes in each of the next three years to power apprenticeships across Warwickshire. Sectors to be supported include digital skills, automotive engineering, battery technology and the ever-evolving construction industry.

The programme, which is launched today, has been designed to deliver a diverse range of support to help job-seekers into, or back into, work through apprenticeships.

The Future Skills programme has five strands:

Future Skills Business Advisor: the appointment of Louise Stolz who brings her wide range of skills and experience to a new role at the face of new industry demands, supporting Warwickshire to build a picture of future skills needs. Louise will work with businesses to build a solid intelligence base to enable the team to best support the evolving needs of skills provision.

Salary Support Fund: shaping opportunities for industry experts to support existing provision in colleges and schools by knowledge-sharing through funded sessional support and also providing a real opportunity to future proof their provision. Also support for 30 businesses with the costs of taking on an apprentice.

Apprenticeship Fairs: an apprenticeship fair to be held in each of Rugby, Nuneaton & Bedworth, Leamington, Warwick and Stratford in each of the next three years.

New Direction 50+: support for apprenticeships for the increasing number of people over the age of 50 who are looking to change direction or re-enter work. Funding will also be available for people undertaking training not within apprenticeships.

Accessible Apprenticeships: creation of 50 apprenticeships for people with supportive needs.

The aim of this new package of projects is to support people of all demographics into employment while helping businesses in these sectors address their skills gaps.

Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economy & Place, Cllr Martin Watson, said: “The Future Skills programme underlines the commitment of Warwickshire Skills Hub to give maximum opportunity to residents of the county to fulfil their potential and help keep the economy strong.

“With its well-thought-out and comprehensive breadth of support, this programme is a major and very welcome addition to the support available from Warwickshire Skills Hub to businesses, education-providers and jobseekers across the county.”