Decision details

Skills Bootcamps provide training for adults aged 19 and over to gain the skills to get a job and progress in work and provide employers have people with the right skills they need for growth, Improving skills levels will help to improve the productivity and economic output of our employers, as well as ensuring that our residents have good job opportunities and career progression.

Skills Bootcamp courses run for up to 16 weeks, providing 60 guided learning hours (for non-digital courses), and up to 100 guided learning hours (digital) and form part of the government’s commitment to helping adults learn the necessary knowledge and skills for new jobs in expanding sectors, such as digital, engineering, construction, manufacturing, and green technologies. They are delivered by training providers in partnership with employers.

Building on the success of earlier Skills Bootcamp programmes, the Council is commissioning a further suite of courses in 2025/26 to meet local resident/employer needs. Funding for the programme is from the Department for Education, via the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The option not to accept the funding from West Yorkshire Combined Authority was rejected by officers. This would have disadvantaged Kirklees residents and businesses by reducing opportunities for residents to acquire new skills to gain work or progress within their existing role.

The decision is to

•         accept external funding of £598,500 from West Yorkshire Combined Authority and for the Council to act as Accountable Body for the grant in accord with sections 22.5 and 22.6 of the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules; and

•         extend delivery arrangements to 31 March 2026 and where required facilitate the commencement and award of any related procurement exercises in accord with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules.