Six colleges across Liverpool city region will share a £4.5m pot of money to provide skills training in ‘evolving’ areas such as net zero, digital and electric vehicles. Tony McDonough reports
Six colleges across Liverpool city region are to provide extra skills in ‘evolving’ industries such as net zero and electric vehicles after securing £4.5m in funding.
Hugh Baird College, The City of Liverpool College, Riverside College, Wirral Met College, Southport College and St Helens College secured the cash from the Government’s £165m Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF).
They will now collaborate on six projects that align with the priorities of the Liverpool City Region Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), launched in June 2023.
These projects are focused on developing a curriculum related to green skills, including electric/hybrid vehicles, hydrogen infrastructure and renewable energy, digital and skills needed in the new LCR Freeport.
Projects are: Talent Bank and Career Pathways; Green Technologies and Digitalisation; New Skills for Net Zero; Pathways to Learning; Freeport Skills Academy; and Building Employer Partnerships
Rachael Hennigan, principal and chief executive of Hugh Baird College, said: “This funding allocation is the culmination of a truly collaborative partnership across the further education sector in Liverpool city region.
“Together, we are committed to ensuring employers and industry have access to a resilient workforce fully prepared for the skills changes taking place now and in the future.”
The Talent Bank project, led by Hugh Baird College, will focus on ensuring a greater clarity and understanding of skills and career opportunities available in the region, particularly those aligned with LSIP priority job roles.
This effort will be supported through the development of a range of engaging promotional materials and content.
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The project will culminate with the development of tailored programmes to provide pupils and post-16 students with the necessary workplace skills and behaviours to support their direct transition into employment where the need is most critical.
“The objective of these projects is clear yet significant: to equip individuals with advanced skills that open the door to improved employment opportunities, ensuring they are afforded every possibility to lead improved lives,” added Rachael.