Skills Accelerator Workforce Initiative

Skills Accelerator, launched by five Black Country colleges is encouraging employers to sign up their staff for free digital/IT and management and new technologies-based training, paving the way for them to access higher level training.

A workforce training initiative for technical skills, the Skills Accelerator has been launched by five Black Country colleges, with support from local industry bodies. The initiative has been developed in response to priorities outlined in the government’s Skills for Jobs white paper for reshaping the technical skills of the local labour market and wider economy. Its twofold objective is to strengthen relationships and partnerships with employers, not only so that colleges can help employers train their existing workforce, but so that employers can help colleges understand what skills are most needed in the employees of the future. This two-way process should therefore benefit businesses in both the short term and in the longer term, as it starts over time to have a positive impact on recruitment.

15 short courses will be delivered by Dudley College, Halesowen College, Sandwell College, Walsall College and City of Wolverhampton College between now and March. The courses cover a vast range of topics including engineering & manufacturing, marketing, management, business development including:

Electrical Relay – Wiring & Circuitry
Intruder Alarm Systems
Electric Hybrid Vehicle System Repair & Replacement
Cable Data Network Installer
Reshoring & Human Resources
Digital Marketing – various courses available
Cyber Security – various courses available
Advanced Manufacturing – 3D printing
Introduction to Chartered Management
Introduction to Business Improvement Techniques
Introduction to Business Innovation & Sustainability

Many of the courses offer online learning, or flexible date and time options. They also provide a stepping stone for employees to go on and study for formal qualifications in a related area should they wish.