The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is supported more than 65,000 people across the region through training and education courses in 2022, figures have revealed.
Thanks to a wide range of initiatives including the WMCA’s flagship digital bootcamps, training courses for work in the construction industry, and to help people land jobs at this summer’s Commonwealth Games, the region has been able to double the number of skills bootcamps compared to last year.
These courses, funded by the WMCA, are tailored to support the unemployed, those seeking a career change, as well as employed people looking to gain the skills required to secure more responsibility or a promotion with their current employer.
Latest figures also show that 72% of people who have completed flagship digital bootcamps, which are the 16-week courses designed to build up people’s digital skills, have now successfully moved onto a job within the sector.
The WMCA has so far piloted more than 30 digital bootcamps and recently received £21 million funding from the Adult Education Budget (AEB) to support new bootcamps over the next three years, meaning they will run until at least October 2024.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said “As we reflect on the successes and lessons of 2022, the role that the WMCA has played in education and training is genuinely noteworthy.
“We’ve been able to support over 65,000 people into our funded courses in 2022. These courses are central to my 100k jobs plan.
“I look forward to continuing to help local people right across our region to get the skills and jobs they deserve in 2023 and beyond.”
The WMCA uses its devolved AEB to commission local training and bootcamp providers to quickly train people in the skills that the region’s businesses need in a wide variety of sectors including care, construction and security.
To find out how the WMCA is helping local people gain access to training opportunities, visit: https://www.wmca.org.uk/what-we-do/productivity-skills/.
