College gets go-ahead for new Skills Bootcamps

Furness College has been given the go-ahead to launch a new Skills Bootcamp in Project Management to help bridge the local skills gap.

The new Skills Bootcamps is free to those unemployed and looking to gain employment or part-funded by employers for those employees looking to upskill in their current job and formalise their experience with a qualification.

The college will also recommence the successful bootcamp in Construction skills, which ran successfully last year at the Channelside campus. This programme is delivered over a period of 16 weeks and is designed to equip people to build practical skills and knowledge and fast track to an employer interview or increased responsibilities in their current role. Applications are open from April 1st.

Skills Bootcamps are part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee, helping everyone gain skills for life. Open to those 19 or over by 31st August 2023.

Furness College’s Director of Curriculum, Technical and Higher Education Kate Colebourn urged employers who want to support their staff with training or self-starter individuals who want to progress to get in touch.

“We are excited to launch a Project Management Skills Bootcamp, which is a chance for employers to upskill their team at a fraction of the usual cost or for those unemployed who wish to return to a Project Management role. All students will study the PFQ level 4 course and on completion will receive a formal qualification accredited by APM.

“It is a 60-hour programme delivered by an experienced tutor, face to face with additional one-to-one online support leading up to the PFQ exam.
“In addition, we are looking to partner with local employers in both the Construction and Project Management sector, both in terms of upskilling their existing workforce or being able to offer interviews and potential employment to Bootcamp learners, and would encourage them to get in touch.”

For small and medium sized businesses who want to upskill their current workforce, a 90 per cent subsidy is available, with a 70 per cent cost subsidy available to large employers, with the remainder of the cost co-funded by government.

To find out more, about the Skills Bootcamps, email bootcamps@furness.ac.uk or call 01229 844797.