Skills Bootcamps returns to continue ‘significant impact’ on Oxfordshire’s workforce

A key programme – set to support hundreds of people’s employability prospects in Oxfordshire – is returning to the county this autumn following a major impact on several sectors last year.

Skills Bootcamps – part of the Government’s Skills for Life programme – is returning to Oxfordshire, with Enterprise Oxfordshire leading activity across the county supporting the upskilling of residents whether in work, self-employed, unemployed, or looking to return to the labour market.

A total of £2,366,600 has been awarded to Oxfordshire County Council and Enterprise Oxfordshire by the Department for Education to deliver a new phase of the programme.

Enterprise Oxfordshire are to partner with a significant network of organisations supporting with Skills Bootcamps delivery. Overall, it is set to engage several hundred people to gain in-demand skills with subsequent access to guaranteed job interviews with employers.

The latest Skills Bootcamps programme arrives following the conclusion of a previous phase – also led by Enterprise Oxfordshire – that is having a continued, ongoing impact on skills provision in the county.

Last year’s £1.7million Skills Bootcamps programme supported just under 200 learners to develop a variety of sector-specific skills, helping to fast-track individuals to potential, future interview opportunities and ultimately, paid work.

The latest programme aims to also provide the same support and guidance with courses designed to help residents upskill, retrain and progress into sustainable employment.

Sectors highlighted in the latest phase include construction, green skills, digital, cyber security, transport and logistics, and health and life sciences.

The programme will in-particular boost opportunities for jobseekers, those re-entering work after a career gap, or retirees returning to employment, likely triggered by the cost-of-living crisis.

The new phase of Skills Bootcamps will aim to recruit its learners by March 2026, with the programme closing in September next year.

The network of delivery partners for the latest programme are:

• Reed in Partnership (in partnership with Oxford Energy Academy) – delivering green construction and solar PV installation bootcamps focused on renewable energy systems and green skills.
• The Skills Centre London Ltd – delivering groundworks (level two) and site supervision SSSTS (level three) bootcamps, supporting regional infrastructure projects.
• Intertrain UK Ltd (City & Guilds Group) – delivering construction design and build technician (CAD/BIM, level four) bootcamps, training learners in digital construction technologies.
• Peter Smythe Transport Training Ltd – delivering HGV driver training (level two) to address Oxfordshire’s shortage of qualified professional drivers.
• CSR Scientific Training Ltd – delivering health and life sciences bootcamps supporting Oxfordshire’s bioscience and research sector.
• C&G Services (Europe) Ltd (Get Trained) – delivering construction safety, street works and groundworks bootcamps aligned to industry safety and technical standards.
• Fedcap (in partnership with The Verdancy Group) – delivering EV charging point installer (level two with elements of level three) bootcamps to upskill qualified electricians for the electric vehicle sector.
• Mastered Studios – delivering digital marketing (level three) and AI in business (level four) bootcamps to develop digital transformation and artificial intelligence capability within local businesses.
• Just IT Training Ltd – delivering data technician (level three) bootcamps, teaching technical data analysis and software tools for digital and business roles.
• Pitman Training Group – delivering project management (PRINCE2, level three) bootcamps, equipping learners with professional project delivery and leadership skills.
• Think Employment Ltd – delivering cyber security, penetration testing (level three) bootcamps, providing practical, employer-led digital security training.

Helen Brind – Head of Business and Skills at Enterprise Oxfordshire – said: “This multi-million-pound investment for Oxfordshire will help hundreds of people access new opportunities in high-growth industries.

“Through close collaboration with employers and training providers, we are building a skilled, confident workforce that meets Oxfordshire’s future economic needs.”

The Skills Bootcamps are open to adults aged 19 and over who are in work, self-employed, unemployed, or returning to work.

Employers can also access Skills Bootcamps to upskill existing staff with only a small co-investment contribution.

Helen Brind added: “We are delighted to be launching our second phase of the Skills Bootcamps programme, building on our solid reputation of supporting Oxfordshire residents to reach their potential whilst also helping our business community to benefit from a well-trained, pipeline of talent.

“We also want to ensure people are finding their way into employment at the end of their Skills Bootcamps journey – with that in mind, if your business operates in any of the sectors the programme is supporting, we would be delighted to hear from you and understand what opportunities could arise within your business.”

The Skills Bootcamps programme is part of a number of major Enterprise Oxfordshire initiatives that has supported the county’s labour market and its suitability to Oxfordshire’s business community.

This included, over the past two years, successfully securing over £6.1million of apprenticeship levy funding from the county’s larger businesses, with £4.7million used to support 460 apprenticeship starts.

A total of 185 SMEs accessed levy funds and the programme generated £15.9miilion-worth in social value.

Away from this, Enterprise Oxfordshire became the new trading name of OxLEP on 1 April this year, marking the completion of a two-year process that saw a new mechanism of delivery agreed between Enterprise Oxfordshire and Oxfordshire County Council.

Since becoming Enterprise Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire County Council now act as the organisation’s 100% shareholder – this is known as a Teckal company arrangement.

Interested Skills Bootcamps participants are being encouraged to apply to a course as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

For more information, click on the providers’ names as listed above or head to the Enterprise Oxfordshire Skills website.

Alternatively, email Enterprise Oxfordshire Skills: skillsbootcamps@enterpriseoxfordshire.com.