BRIDGWATER & Taunton College (BTC) will launch new training courses after two local councils were granted funding from the Department for Education.

Somerset County Council and Dorset County Council have received nearly £1 million between them from the National Skills Fund to run Skills Bootcamps.

The Train4Tomorrow bootcamps are training courses up to 16 weeks long that provide adults (aged 19+) with the opportunity to retrain for high-demand jobs in emerging or growing sectors.

The latest round of bootcamps began in July and will run until March 2023.

They have been developed alongside employers to ensure that attendees gain industry-relevant and in-demand skills. 

Learners are guaranteed an interview with a local employer once their training is complete. 

The bootcamps are available to people who are unemployed, self-employed, or returning to work. 

They are offered free of charge through the Government's Lifetime Skills Guarantee.

Bootcamp subjects include green skills, construction, computer-aided design (CAD), mechanics, welding, IT and cyber security, digital marketing and social media, cyber readiness, programming, and health and social care. 

Training will be available at BTC, Weymouth College, Bluescreen IT, Bath College, and the NHS. 

Simone Tyrie, employment and skills project coordinator at Somerset County Council, said: “The Train4Tomorrow Skills Bootcamps help individuals to upskill for their dream careers, and develop future-proof skills for higher paid roles.

“They also present an opportunity to support employers looking to fill vacancies in sectors that are recruiting skilled individuals due to industry demand.

“This training is free, high-quality, and provided by enthusiastic industry experts who are keen to expand the career horizons of those who take part, fill skills gaps for employers, and improve the wider economy of the south west region.”

Councillor Val Keitch, lead executive member for prosperity at Somerset County Council, said: “We are so pleased to receive Train4Tomorrow Skills Bootcamp funding that will benefit people living and working in Somerset and Dorset.

“We are always searching for ways in which we can enhance the economic prosperity of the south west and ensure that the area is a desirable place to learn and live.

“Skills Bootcamps open doors for those individuals looking to advance in their careers and progress as part of an inclusive and diverse economy.”

Employers can use the scheme to develop the expertise of their existing employees and benefit from the chance to recruit learners. 

Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) wanting to train their own employees must contribute 10 per cent of the course costs.

Larger employers will be required to cover 30 per cent of training expenses. 

To find out more about the Skills Bootcamps, visit train4tomorrow.org.uk.