Three schemes to boost skills training across Shropshire have been awarded more than £1.1 million. The awards come from a £42 million pot of ESF funding allocated to the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership to support investment in employment, skills and social inclusion across the region and to make sure education and training meets the needs of employers.
The Marches Centre for Manufacturing and Technology (MCMT) in Bridgnorth has been awarded £736,771 for its Skills for Growth project from the European Social Fund to ensure skills training meets the needs of business. The University of Chester has been awarded £236,000 for its Building Skills and Growth Capacity project based at University Centre Shrewsbury, while Telford & Wrekin Council is receiving £210,000 for its Life Ready Work Ready project.
Key activities will include increasing work experience opportunities, work placements, traineeships, apprenticeships and graduate placements particularly through wider employer engagement involving supply chains. It will also focus on ensuring local employers are informed about local education and training provision, activities to engage young people and develop their employability and vocational skills and enhancing links between schools and business.