SOLIHULL College and University Centre is set to welcome a new cohort of students wanting to get the skills they need to land a job after £10million government funding was secured.
The college will work with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, to develop and deliver training that will help residents gain the skills needed to secure jobs industries such as electric vehicle and battery technology, sustainable construction, and the creative/gaming sector.
The funding is part of a wider £200m investment from the Department for Education to enable colleges and universities to respond to demands and priorities set out in their area’s local skills improvement plans (LSIP).
Rebecca Gater, principal and chief executive, Solihull College and University Centre, said: “The Department of Education’s investment is as a testament to our commitment to enhancing the capabilities of the current and future regional workforce.
“It will support us to upskill the current and future workforce to meet regional skills priorities including electrification and battery technology, sustainable construction and future housing, green skills and digital.
“Funding will enable us to invest in cutting-edge facilities, high quality resources, and equipment that ensures the curriculum we offer meets the needs of employers, improves efficiency and productivity, and equips local people with the skills they need to succeed in current and future careers.”
The investment will be used to expand the regional electrification and engineering offer, develop skills provision in low carbon/sustainable construction, support the professional development of teachers to embed green skills in all curriculum areas, deliver digital skills training to hard to reach communities and improve employer engagement.
Corin Crane, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The announcement of £10.6m Local Skills Improvement Funds (LSIF) for the West Midlands and Warwickshire is one of the biggest in the country and great news for local employers. It is also vindication of the brilliant partnership work that is taking place between businesses, providers and the WMCA to make our local skills funding as flexible and focused on economic growth as possible.
“These LSIF funds are a critical part of a bigger picture of devolved skills funding that is changing the face of our regional economy, we now need to make sure as many people as possible engage in this exciting opportunity which will provide much needed funds for the skills and recruitment issues our businesses need to grow and find new markets.”
