Mayor’s £250 million skills plan gets underway

A £250 million skills programme has launched to help North East residents access jobs in some of the region’s fastest-growing and most in-demand industries.

The first trainees have begun courses through the Adult Skills Training Programme, which forms part of North East mayor Kim McGuinness’ New Deal for North East Workers.

Backed by investment of around £80 million a year, the programme will focus on areas including construction, manufacturing, technology and the green economy, alongside foundational sectors such as health, care, logistics and community services.

It follows collaboration between the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, colleges, training providers, local authorities, employers and voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations.

Support will particularly target adults with low qualifications, people facing health barriers, women looking to enter technical careers, care-experienced young adults and those seeking to progress in work.

Mayor McGuinness said: “I said we’d change the way we deliver adult skills training in the North East, and now we’re doing just that.

“Every bit of our new skills investment is focused on one thing – helping people move from training straight into proper jobs in our growing industries.

“That could be in the green economy, digital and tech, in the foundational jobs we all rely on so much, like nursery teaching or working in a shop, pub or restaurant, or in the construction roles we need to build the homes of the future.

“Support is there for people to get the skills, confidence and fair chances they deserve.”

The programme is structured around three strands.

Skills Foundation will focus on essential skills and confidence, while Skills Activation will provide technical training and apprenticeships.

Meanwhile, Skills for Work will offer employer-designed courses aimed at providing direct routes into jobs.

The investment is designed to address skills shortages while ensuring residents can benefit from growth in areas including clean energy and innovation.

Mayor McGuinness said the programme was central to her ambition to make the North East “the home of real opportunity”.

She added: “My message is this: if you’re looking for a fresh start, we’re here to back you. 

“If you’re an employer, we’re building the skilled workforce you’ve been asking for. 

“And if you’re a training provider, you’re central to making sure people get the right skills for real jobs. 

“This programme is about making sure no one is left behind.”

By 2029, the strategic authority is aiming to increase employment, help more residents progress into better-paid work and strengthen the pipeline of skilled workers available to employers.

The programme also forms part of wider efforts to reduce economic inactivity and make training more accessible to communities that have historically faced barriers to employment and skills development.

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