West Yorkshire Invests £60 Million in Skills Courses to Build a Region of Learning and Creativity

West Yorkshire is set to receive a transformative boost in education and training, with over £60 million in funding secured through the devolved Adult Skills Fund. Starting this September, the region’s colleges, councils, and specialist training providers will deliver a wide range of courses tailored to both school leavers and adult learners of all ages.

The funding comes just as students collect their GCSE results, with regional Mayor Tracy Brabin offering reassurance: “Regardless of grade, you can find your future here in West Yorkshire.”

With devolution granting control over adult skills, Mayor Brabin has committed to providing essential training, from basic skills like English and Maths to more advanced technical education. This initiative aims to equip learners with the qualifications needed to secure well-paid jobs in growing sectors such as green energy, digital, and the creative industries.

Mayor Tracy Brabin visiting students at the Leeds College of Building

“For our economy to succeed and thrive, we need everyone in it to succeed and thrive,” said Brabin. “That’s why we’re building a region of learning and creativity, where everyone can fulfil their potential.”

Nearly £50 million of the investment will be channelled into the region’s colleges, with £7 million distributed among the five district councils and over £4 million dedicated to specialist training providers. The focus will be on addressing labour shortages, with training prioritised for essential roles like bus drivers, construction engineers, and healthcare workers.

Over the past year, funding from the West Yorkshire Mayor supported over 40,000 learners, with an emphasis on young people, ethnic minorities, and disabled learners. The new funding aims to build on this success and provide further opportunities for adults and school leavers to gain the skills needed for thriving careers.

For more information on free training courses, visit www.futuregoals.co.uk.

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