A £3 million investment in skills across Devon and Cornwall has been announced today with the launch of the latest wave of Train4Tomorrow Skills Bootcamps.
More than 50 bootcamps are now recruiting learners with over 1,000 places available, and demand continues to grow for the training provided through this successful scheme. Courses are open to adults aged 19 or over who are looking to improve their skills and employability. For those seeking new employment a guaranteed interview is offered.
Train4Tomorrow Skills Bootcamps, which we’re delivering in partnership with Cornwall Council, offer a range of fully-funded training courses of up to 16 weeks across a variety of sectors: Digital, Technical, Construction, Green Skills, Healthcare, Hospitality and Professional Services.
The latest Skills Bootcamps being provided include: Modern Construction Methods, Regenerative Farming, Data Analyst, Digital Skills for the Workplace, Cloud Computing, Digital Marketing, Marine Engineering, Welding, Civils and Groundworks, Electrical Vehicles, Retrofit, Floating Offshore Renewables, Clinical Pathways, Long-term Health Conditions, Project Management, Coaching and Mentoring, Hospitality management and many more.
To date, more than 1,300 learners across Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset have already attended a Skills Bootcamp, with many starting careers in growing sectors.
Jo Harper, who is self-employed and runs his own tea plantation near Ashburton, completed the Regenerative Agriculture Skills Bootcamp which he described as “one of the most valuable courses I’ve done for a very, very long time.”
The course was one day a week for 12 weeks, in person at the Apricot Centre CIC in Totnes, where he was able to learn new skills which he is putting into practice at his business.
Jo said: “The business really took off a few years ago. There were certain things within regenerative agriculture practice that we were really struggling with, and we wanted to implement but didn’t quite have the knowledge or support.
“There are multiple things we’ve done off the back of the course – we’ve changed some of our practice on how we manage and grow crops and organically manage weed issues, we’ve looked at improving how we capture and store carbon on the farm and reducing our carbon footprint by developing techniques that mean we use less fossil fuels.
“Even if you feel you’re not so academic or you don’t have access to IT equipment the chances are the provider will help create a work around for you. It’s great for young learners but also older learners who are looking for a change in direction or to upskill.”
Jordan Cooper, from Exeter, completed the Digital Marketing and Communications Skills Bootcamp at Exeter College to help pursue her long held ambition for a career in marketing.
The 16-week course, was one day a week and a mixture of in-person and online learning, covering a variety of topics including media platforms, SEO and Google IQ. Jordan also had the opportunity to complete further qualifications along the way.
She said: “It’s a fantastic programme, it definitely is. The Skills Bootcamps programme means that you don’t have to get into debt to pursue the career that you want.
“It was easy to balance the course with my day-to-day. The staff at the college were accommodating and helped us fit the learning around our lives rather than vice versa – they were really supportive.
“The in-person sessions were beneficial, and it was nice because there were people on the course from entirely different backgrounds – public, private and charity sectors as well as self-employed people who were looking to up their skills for the benefit of their own business.”
Councillor Rufus Gilbert, Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery and Skills, said:
“The training provided through the Skills Bootcamps is suitable for anyone looking to change occupations or further their career. The innovative courses have been developed with the help of local businesses, so it’s tailored to meet the skills needed in our region.
“Learners have the opportunity to secure new employment, self-employed learners can expand their skills and pursue new opportunities while employed learners can increase responsibilities within an existing role, with employer support.
“We’re extremely proud to offer these opportunities for individuals to acquire new skills and help to improve job prospects for all in our region. In the previous wave of bootcamps more than 50% of learners were aged over 35, with 16% of all learners over 50 years of age. No matter what stage of your career you’re at, it’s never too late to learn.”
Delivery partners in the Train4Tomorrow Skills Bootcamps are the Apricot Centre, BIT Group, Cambridge Spark, City College Plymouth, Cornwall College, DPN, Exeter College, OnCourse South West, Petroc College, Primed Talent, , The Construction Skills People, Truro & Penwith College, YTKO.
To check out your eligibility and find out more about Skills Bootcamps across Devon and Cornwall, visit the Train4Tomorrow webpages.