SOMERSET County Council and Dorset County Council have been awarded nearly £1million from the Department for Education’s National Skills Fund to run a third round of Skills Bootcamps.

The Train4Tomorrow Skills Bootcamps are training courses up to 16 weeks long, providing adults with the opportunity to retrain into high-demand job roles in sectors that are emerging or rapidly growing.

The next round will be running from July until next March and are developed alongside employers to ensure those attending courses gain industry relevant and in-demand skills.

The courses offer development opportunities in industries currently seeking skilled professionals. Learners are guaranteed an interview with a local employer once their training is complete.

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

The bootcamps available this year include Green Skills - Construction, CAD, Mechanics, Welding, IT and Cyber Security, Digital Marketing and Social Media, Cyber Readiness, Programming, and Health and Social Care. Partners providing the training include Bridgwater and Taunton College, Somerset Skills & Learning 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.”

Employers can develop the expertise of their existing employees as well as benefit from the opportunity to recruit learners with specialist skills. There is a small cost for employers who would like to train their own employees - SMEs are required to contribute 10 per cent of the course costs, while large employers are asked to contribute 30 per cent towards training expenses.

Those wanting further details on how the Skills Bootcamps can benefit their business can email swtechnicalbootcamps@somerset.gov.uk