Construction and Green Energy training courses to launch in Greater Manchester helping residents fast-track into new jobs

Photo: Duncan Andison - stock.adobe.com

The Skills Bootcamps are flexible courses in construction and green energy

Hundreds of people in Greater Manchester are set to be fast-tracked into roles in construction and green energy thanks to the launch of new training programmes.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has awarded £1.5m to five providers, who will run Skills Bootcamps to support people to build sector-specific skills.

Skills Bootcamps are flexible courses of up to 16 weeks for those aged 19 and over which give people the opportunity to build up sector specific skills and a guaranteed interview with a local employer on completion.

This programme is designed to help people onto the career ladder, transition back into work or access progression opportunities, while also helping employers meet skills needs.

Skills Bootcamps will also support individuals across priority groups including:

• Low paid workers
• The unemployed or out of work
• Veterans
• Ex-offenders
• Women
• Ethnic minorities
• The over 50s
• Those returning work after a break/maternity leave
• People living with a health conditions or disabilities

The programme is being funded through the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee, with approximately £341,000 being awarded to One Manchester and £125,000 to Complete Skills Solutions. Another three providers are also set to receive funding to deliver vital training, which will be announced at a later date.

The Construction and Green Energy training courses have been designed alongside employers and aim to help people secure employment in both industries, while filling skills gaps highlighted by the sector.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, Greater Manchester’s lead for Education, Work, Skills, Apprenticeships and Digital said: "These Skills Bootcamps will help us to continue building a better Greater Manchester for everyone, giving unemployed adults or those in low-income work a chance to learn or retrain and then go on to get good, future-proof jobs and careers.

“With pressure on people’s incomes this year, one of the best ways Greater Manchester Combined Authority can help people is through courses designed with improving job prospects with local employers in mind.

“Greater Manchester is helping more people get the skills they need for good quality jobs, not just in green and construction industries but also through our other Skills Bootcamps focussed on digital skills. Training residents in Construction and Green Energy skills also helps support our work towards building a greener, fairer and more prosperous Greater Manchester.”

For more information about Skills Bootcamps please visit the Greater Manchester Combined Authority web site.