The Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LED) has extended its [re]boot skills programmes to support people have been made redundant as a result of COVID-19, including existing courses in digital, TV production and engineering, as well as four brand-new construction programmes, all of which are offered completely free of charge.
The [re]boot initiative is empowering people who have been devastated by the pandemic, supporting them in the acquisition of new skills to help them build a suitable and sustainable career.
Delivered at no cost to the participant, the programmes will be delivered online and offered in partnership with the West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges (WYCC) and Leeds Trinity University.
“We cannot underestimate the human and economic impact of COVID-19. There is potential for unemployment to rise to 14%” – Counsellor Susan Hinchcliffe
Designed to address growing skills gaps identified by local employers, learners will take part in online workshops, exercises and expert Q&As, while course tutors are on-hand to offer one-to-one support.
Counsellor Susan Hinchcliffe, chair of the WYCC and leader of Bradford Council, commented: “We cannot underestimate the human and economic impact of COVID-19. There is potential for unemployment to rise to 14%
“That’s why we are offering [re]boot courses as a flexible way for people across West Yorkshire to continue to learn and develop new skills that are relevant to the changing labour market, vital to help the region recover from the impact of the pandemic.”
Held online or in college, participants can opt to study on either a part- or full-time basis. Teaching is generally held in the early evenings to help fit learning around existing commitments.
Eligible participants must be 18+, currently in employment, furloughed or made redundant from March 2020 onwards, and must live in Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield or York.
Recent studies indicate that there are now 49,500 working-age individuals currently out of work and on benefits in West Yorkshire – an 85% rise compared with the pre-lockdown period in March this year.
Around 380,000 people in West Yorkshire – 36% of the region’s working-age population – have low or no qualifications and are considered disadvantaged. While instilling these essential skills will be a challenge, it will be key to driving the nation’s economic recovery following the pandemic.
Click here to find out more about the [re]boot courses and register your interest.
In other news: Handwriting more effective for learning than typing, study confirms