Britain’s automotive supply chain is to benefit from a GBP20m (US$33.7m) training fund, with companies able to submit proposals to address skills shortages from 6 May for a 12-week period.
“Our goal is to bring employment and education closer together, to deliver the skills employers need,” said Skills and Enterprise Minister, Matthew Hancock.
“This flexible employer ownership fund will allow employers in the supply chain to develop their skills so they can take advantage of significant growth opportunities in the sector.
“By having a highly skilled workforce, companies will be able to grow and meet the imminent and longer-term needs of automotive manufacturing companies.”
The Minister noted some 5,000 traineeships had been created from last year’s Employer Ownership Pilot funding across several industries.
“Under this scheme, employers combine their own money with government funding, to invest in the training they need,” said Hancock.
“It’s simple, direct, and focussed. We’ve learnt a lot from the first rounds of funding about how to support employers – some sectors have specialist skills and it is these companies that know their training needs best.
“By providing them with the funding, they can build training schemes around their requirements.”