A major new skills programme has been launched by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and co-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) to help businesses understand, plan and respond to their workforce needs, particularly as they face new pressures in light of Covid-19. Workforce for the Future is a free service that helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to identify and address their skills needs, by upskilling and retraining employees, in areas such as digital, or support them to source and bring in new staff, including apprentices or work placements to drive their business forwards.

Weston College is one of the Further Education providers to take part in the programme. The college will use their skills and expertise to work with SMEs, ensuring businesses have access to the full range of support available including bespoke training, apprenticeships, work placements, and student projects, supporting employers across the region in developing their workforce and meeting current and future needs.

Workforce for the Future is part of a package of measures that WECA has put in place to help kick-start the regional economy following the coronavirus outbreak. This includes a range of business support, skills and employment initiatives.

Weston College Principal and Chief Executive, Dr Paul Phillips CBE, said: “Weston College has a track record of supporting SMEs across the West of England, and we are delighted to be a part of this initiative, which seeks to support local people, and employers to drive their business forward during and following Covid-19.

“The skills that employers are looking for are evolving, and this programme will allow us to deliver bespoke training to meet their needs, whilst providing opportunities for our learners – delivering our mission of creating brighter futures.”

West of England Mayor Tim Bowles said: “Backing our businesses with the skills they need to emerge strongly from the pandemic and protecting and securing decent jobs is at the heart of my plan for our economic recovery. Our Workforce for the Future programme is a flagship part of that plan.

“Workforce for the future will help us adapt and evolve to the changing world and seize the opportunities that digitalisation and new technology present, supporting our businesses and shaping our talent pool to meet the needs of tomorrow.”

Workforce for the Future can help businesses to:

• Develop a more motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.
• Increase digital skills and expertise, and foster innovation.
• Capture the financial benefits of improved performance and elevated productivity.
• Attract new talent, improve staff retention and develop future leaders.
• Boost business resilience and flexibility to overcome future challenges.
• Increase diversity and inclusivity in the workforce
• Safeguard jobs and support employees through change.

If you would like to find out more about Workforce for the Future, and how we can help, please contact employers@weston.ac.uk.