PLANS have been unveiled to widen the availability of free job training across the region.
The West Midlands Combined Authority is looking to boost people’s job prospects and earnings by making the free Level 3 training courses available to anyone earning £30,000 a year or less.
At present the courses are only available to those earning around £18,000 or less.
The proposals, currently undergoing consultation, would make the WMCA’s free job training offer the most generous in the UK.
If the proposal passes consultation, training will start with a two-year trial starting in August.
Dr Julie Nugent, the WMCA’s executive director of economic delivery, skills and communities, said the West Midlands had enormous economic potential but currently qualification levels currently sat below the national average.
“As a result, employers face persistent skills shortages, with around one in four vacancies classed as ‘hard to fill’, particularly in roles that require advanced and higher skills.
“Creating a new avenue for below average range earners to continue their learning is a vital step in tackling these issues and ensuring the skills needs of businesses are met and more people are supported through in-work progression across the region.”
Proposals will be funded from existing AEB and free courses for jobs programme budgets.
Visit wmca.org.uk/what-we-do/productivity-and-skills/adult-education-budget/ for the consultation which closes at 10am on Monday, April 24.
