Preston College to deliver employability skills programme as part of £1m project

Preston College skills project. Pic: PCC

Preston College has secured a partnership with Preston City Council to deliver skills development as part of a £1m government-funded project.

The programme is part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) allocation, aiming to support local people by enhancing employability and skills across the city.

Preston College has been chosen to deliver three skills programmes – the first around ‘green’ skills, the second providing training for specific skills shortages and the last to help residents improve their existing skills to progress in their jobs.

The Green Skills Project will be focussed on the environment and provide training in sectors that are key to zero-net transition such as sustainable energy and transport electrification.

It also plans to provide custom-made courses from beginner to practitioner on areas which will help organisations shift to low-carbon practices.

The Local Skills Project aims to enable a greater range of adult education courses and help those not eligible for fee support to access free skills training.

This project is looking at increasing the skills of Preston’s workforce and reducing unemployment by delivering training in skills and sectors which have a shortage such as health and social care and engineering.

Training will be provided on sectors which have skills shortages in Preston. Pic: PCC

The final commissioned project will support working people to gain skills to progress in their jobs in areas such as team leadership and management.

Councillor Valerie Wise, Cabinet Member for Community Wealth Building said: “These projects will go a long way to addressing skills gaps, boosting the life chances of local people and supporting economic growth in Preston.

“We are excited to be working with Preston College whose industry knowledge and ‘industry standard’ programmes are second to none.”

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