New Skills Service offers businesses training support

Broadcaster Steph McGovern helped the West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges (WYCC) launch a new service for business in the Leeds City Region last week (12 June).

The Skills Service will offer businesses a unique package of support for training and skills in the Leeds City Region.

WYCC represents the seven FE colleges in West Yorkshire and has secured over £12 million from the European Social Fund (ESF) to provide new training and skills for those in low paid, low skilled work (More Skills Better Jobs); helping more people into higher level training (Reach higher) and providing The Skills Service.

Just a click away, Skills Service Advisors from the West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges will find the right skills solutions that align with employers’ demands and meet the needs of the regions’ industries.

The Skills Service will offer support to employers to enhance their workforce training. The service will recognises the importance skills play in the good growth of SMEs in the Leeds City Region and how this can be supported through the brokering solutions.

The service has launched with an online Skills Catalogue that lists existing courses for businesses, plus an online enquiry service for employers to get in touch about existing courses or training that they not be able to find. This offer will grow in the coming months. Information and enquiry details are available at www.skillsservice.co.uk

The Skills Service will evolve using industry expertise from sector forums and labour market intelligence to develop its offer.

Speaking at the Leeds City Region Skills Network conference in Elland Road last week Joanne Patrickson, Project Director at the West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges said,

“Many businesses will be familiar with the success of the previous LEP Skills Service. With the support of our partners, we’re delighted to have secured funding to continue this service to businesses for the next three years.

“Alongside our offer to businesses that aims to increase high level skills and skills that support progression from low paid employment, our WYCC Skills Service Advisors will explore opportunities with businesses to offer the right skills solutions for our region.”

The Future of Workforce Skills conference brought together over 200 delegates from the region to hear about the new service and to hear from northern ‘Skills Champion’, broadcaster Steph McGovern.

Steph emphasised the importance of training providers coming together and the media playing their part to inspire people. She said, “When it comes to the skills gaps that exist, the media can definitely do more to help. We should be showcasing the variety of jobs that exist out there and inspire people to do them! I’ve been out to over 700 businesses since joining the BBC, and I like to scratch beneath the surface of a sector to show more people what job roles make a business work.

“One of my favourite projects is World Skills. It is a fantastic event that I’m happy to champion and it shows people just how much opportunity and variety there is in the workplace. I think it would be great to have a northern Skills Show. You’ve just got to make sure you get it right. Make sure people can see the link between the skills on show and have the means in place for people to learn those skills. With the approach to collaboration in the Leeds City Region, I think this could be a real success in the north.”

The Skills Service is funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and managed by the West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges.

Courses listed in the Skills Catalogue will be considered for WYCC European Social Fund funding if participants are 18+, in employment, have the right to work in the UK. Businesses must operate within the Leeds City Region. Funding of up to 40% may be available. Conditions and eligibility will be discussed with your Skills Advisor following the enquiry.

See the Photo Gallery from the day.

Download resources from the day on our Resources page