Free West Yorkshire training scheme to help adults find jobs during the cost-of-living crisis has launched today.

12 October 2022

Adults across West Yorkshire can now benefit from support to get the skills they need to succeed in well-paid jobs after a new scheme was launched today.

The free training across a range of sectors, provided by West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin, will help adults access free training and support to find good, stable, employment in the career that’s right for them. This is particularly important during a cost-of-living crisis when many are struggling with rising energy bills and household finances.

Data from the Leeds City Region Local Economic Partnership shows West Yorkshire has a greater share of people on low incomes than other areas of the UK and is being hit harder by increases in fuel costs and food prices. Therefore, the Mayor’s Skills Connect programme is designed to help improve people’s skills for roles in a range of sectors including digital, construction, health, and social care and environmental. There are also courses available to support graduates who are looking for employment opportunities.

The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said:

“Skills Connect will help people find good, well-paid jobs, especially as our communities face an extraordinary cost-of-living crisis.

“We aim to support thousands of adults across West Yorkshire to complete a training course and gain the skills they need to succeed, which in turn will help boost our local economy.” 

Courses have been created with input from local employers to ensure that the training provides workers with the right skills to help fill vacancies. Anyone over the age of 19 and living in West Yorkshire can sign up for a course. Skills Connect will feature courses in other areas in the future, responding to upcoming skills needs across different industries and the job market.

Training programmes offer opportunities to gain experience directly from industry and business professionals with guaranteed post-training interviews available in some courses.

Take a look at the Skills Connect courses currently available at: www.futuregoals.co.uk/learn/free-adult-training-courses/skills-connect-training-courses/