Skills Bootcamps

What are Skills Bootcamps? 

Skills Bootcamps are part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee, helping everyone gain skills for life, funded through the Department of Education and are free (to the learner). New Anglia LEP in partnership with Norfolk & Suffolk County Councils has secured 1.4 million to support 380 learners through Skills Bootcamps for this financial year. Driven by employers’ needs within our region, the aim is to bridge existing skills gaps and address recruitment needs by providing flexible, intensive training programmes. 

Skills Bootcamps last from 60 hours up to 16-weeks and have been designed to offer flexible training to work around learners’ commitments. The outcome provides individuals with sector-specific skills to gain employment, increase new contracts if self-employed or take on more responsibilities or promotion within their current job if employed. Programmes are at Level 2-5, with Level 2 equivalent to content at GCSE level, and Level 5 equivalent to content at foundation degree or Higher National Diploma (HND).

Am I eligible? 

Anyone who is 19+ in full-time or part-time employment, self-employed, unemployed, or adults returning to work after a break. Some are also open to serving prisoners due to be released within six months of completion of a Skills Bootcamp and those on Temporary Release.  Learners who are applying independently can access the Skills Bootcamps – fully funded. If you are unemployed, you will be offered a guaranteed interview with an employer at the end of your programme.  

How can employers get involved? 

If you are looking to fill a vacancy, you will be able to employ learners who have completed Skills Bootcamps free with no recruitment costs.  Please let us know if you are recruiting and have vacancies to fill! If you have large vacancy requirements then please contact us, and we can build a Skills Bootcamp with our training providers to help you fill those vacancies. 

For employers wishing to upskill their workforce, there is an employer contribution. For SMEs (small to medium size businesses, less than 250) there is a 10% contribution, for larger employers 30%.