Fay excited by role as Head of Employability and Skills

"I’m just someone who loves to problem-solve, with a head full of ideas and a passion for getting things done."

Fay Winterburn is “thrilled and proud” to have taken on the role of Head of Employability and Skills at Warwickshire County Council.

She now leads a vibrant and expanding service of more than 100 staff, delivering a wide range of programmes which support employers, education providers, and jobseekers  across the county.

It’s a challenging and high-impact role. Fay is responsible for ensuring a strong and ambitious careers offer for young people that reflects local economic needs, while also supporting businesses to develop and retain the skills they need to grow sustainably. A key priority is ensuring all Warwickshire residents, regardless of the barriers they face, have access to clear, progressive pathways into employment.

Creating inclusive and accessible services and programmes is something Fay is no stranger to, and a key driver in why Fay wanted to step into such a role. whilst the role holds significant responsibility, the opportunity to positively impact the lives of so many Warwickshire residents was an opportunity Fay couldn’t explore further.

Fay brings a wealth of experience to the role, having worked at Warwickshire County Council for eight years. She began as a Business Skills Advisor, working directly with local businesses to identify skills gaps and connect them with the right support. In 2020, she became Lead Commissioner, designing over 30 solution-focused programmes and launching a range of services that helped raise aspirations and guide residents into meaningful employment.

From starting as part of a small team, In the last two years Fay has since attracted over £12 million in external investment, supporting significant growth in the employability and skills space, and opportunities to build on the existing thriving services her team delivers. Fay’s innovative and inclusive approach has earned her multiple award nominations, including a High Sheriff’s Award for outstanding service to the community.

“I’m proud of what we’ve achieved over the years. You don’t always realise the scale of it until you look back. I’m just someone who loves to problem-solve, with a head full of ideas and a passion for getting things done. But none of it would have been possible without the trust and support of the Council and our leaders, who have believed in my vision for Warwickshire and of course my teams for bringing it all to life.

“I’m delighted to step into this new role,” said Fay. “It’s a role which comes with many responsibilities and complexities, but I’m never one to shy away from a challenge, in fact I usually welcome them!"

WCC Portfolio Holder for Economy, Cllr Rob Howard said: "Warwickshire County Council is fully committed to doing all we can to support employability and skills and to promote opportunities for all people. Warwickshire Skills Hub delivers a range of excellent programmes and is nationally renowned for their work with employers, education-providers and jobseekers and over the last eight years, Fay has played a huge role in the notable achievements of the Skills Hub. She is the ideal person to lead her team into the future and ensure that those programmes continue and also evolve to provide the best possible support for our communities."