Metro Mayor Dan Norris has called on residents across the West of England to get the skills they need as the cost-of-living crisis impacts people’s finances.
Dan Norris during the jobs and skills event | Photo © WECA
Speaking at his third annual Jobs and Skills Summit, which was held at Bath College’s Somer Valley Campus on Wednesday 12th July, Mr Norris announced an extra £6.5 million in funding for locals to upskill to progress into better-paid work and learn the tools of the trade for the green jobs of the future.
The Metro Mayor said that in an era of labour shortages, the focus on jobs and skills provision must change.
He said: “Wherever I go, employers tell me they can’t fill all their vacancies. Whether it’s bus drivers, chefs or retrofitters. I also know there are many new green jobs on the horizon.
“That should be good news for workers. There are plenty of jobs out there – but it’s my job to make sure local people have the right skills to benefit from them.”
The Mayor says his new funding will have a “laser-like” focus on areas of high demand.
There will be free hands-on training courses focusing on areas where there are high levels of vacancies, including in the care, bus driving and retrofit sectors.
“Jobs that let you get by aren’t enough, I want jobs that let you get on” he continued.
“That’s especially important in this cost-of-living crisis, and I’m pleased to be working with colleagues in the trade union movement to make this a reality.”
At the Summit, apprentices and those taking part in training courses were able to discuss their experiences at a series of interactive roundtables and make suggestions on how to improve skills training for the future.
The Mayor also met students who are learning to service electric cars within purpose-built, Mayoral Combined Authority-funded workshops.
Dan Norris said: “Skills and training are a really important part of my role as Metro Mayor, and I’m proud that my Mayoral Combined Authority is helping over 10,000 people in our region every year get the skills they need to move into some really high-quality and well-paid jobs that meet the needs of employers. But I know we can do even better.
“Local people deserve good-quality, well-paid secure jobs in the West.
“This Summit is all about ensuring people can go on to earn more in their current roles or go onto secure better-paid jobs to help to ease the financial pressures so many are facing.”
