The Business Exchange Bath & Somerset Issue 18: Winter 2020 | Page 6

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Workforce for the Future

The West of England is a place where ideas flourish and businesses grow . Where creative , digital and high-tech meet traditional industry . We know that in the future , technology will be doing things we haven ’ t yet dreamed of , and this will shape the careers of future generations .
Our Local Industrial Strategy sets out a plan to prepare our region for the future , and in conjunction with the Employment and Skills Plan ensures that our diverse workforce has the skills , talent and experience to meet the needs of the evolving economy and its developing industries .
Workforce for the Future is an £ 8m programme , co-funded by the West of England Combined Authority ( WECA ) and the European Social Fund ( ESF ), that will work with SMEs to help them develop their future workforce .
The programme will help SMEs in the West of England understand , navigate and benefit from the region ’ s developing skills system , connecting them to the future workforce through apprenticeships , internships and placements . SMEs may also work with training providers to help shape their curriculum , or support schools to offer work experience ( or other activities ) which will give learners an

GOVERNMENT FUNDING ENCOURAGES BUSINESSES TO TAKE ON YOUNG STAFF

idea of future jobs that will be available in the local economy and what skills they will need to fill them .
Businesses From the business perspective , Workforce for the Future ’ s lasting impact will be an improved skills system that businesses can understand and use . New tools , case studies and mentor businesses will also emerge that can help other organisations on the programme .
Residents By involving SMEs , Workforce for the Future can also help individual learners to make progress , giving them useful work-based experiences . Individual projects on the programme might work with specific groups of people , for example those from black , Asian and minority ethnic
Bath & North East Somerset Council is helping local organisations access Government funding to cover the costs of young , entry-level staff . backgrounds or those from particular neighbourhoods , whilst maintaining the focus of their support on the SME .
Applying for Funding Workforce for the Future will award funding through a Call process , details of projects and timings can be found by visiting the WECA website . The programme is set to operate until mid-2023 .
@ WestofEnglandCA
For more info : www . westofengland-ca . gov . uk / workforce-for-the-future /
The Kickstart scheme is part of the Government ’ s Plan for Jobs and aims to create thousands of new , fully-funded jobs across England , Scotland and Wales .
Kickstart is designed to provide high quality six-month work placements aimed at those aged 16-24 who are on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment . For each new job created , funding is available for 100 per cent of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours per week , plus the associated National Insurance contributions and start-up costs . Up to £ 1,500 per job placement is available for set-up costs and support .
Training is also available following a successful application process . Applications must relate to new jobs and not existing or planned vacancies , nor should they cause existing employees or contractors to lose or reduce their employment .
Bath & North East Somerset Council ’ s Skills Team especially want to hear from employers committed to
6 www . tbebathandsomerset . co . uk diversity and inclusion , who can offer placements for local young people facing the greatest risks and challenges . Kickstart is not an apprenticeship , but participants may move on to an apprenticeship at any time during , or after their job placement .
“ Kickstart is designed to provide high quality 6-month work placements aimed at those 16-24 who are on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment ”
The Skills Team is also keen to hear from employers that can convert successful placements into sustainable apprenticeships and jobs , as well as those employers committed to diversity and inclusion , and those which are accessible for young people who may require additional employment support .
Why become a placement provider ?
• You will help young people get into work
• You will be bringing jobs and funding to your area or sector at a difficult time
• You will be able to support employers in your network to access Kickstart Scheme funding and support economic recovery
• You can build new networks and / or attract new members
To find out more and to apply please email : achieve @ bathnes . gov . uk and the Skills team will provide you with the information required .
You can read more about the Kickstart Scheme online at : www . gov . uk / government / collections / kickstart-scheme