Free digital skills training for WM residents

15th November 2021

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has been granted £21m of government funding to deliver digital skills training to 4,000 local people over the next three years.

The aim of ‘digital bootcamps’ is to support people who are looking for work, considering a career change, wanting to take on more responsibility at work or seeking a promotion.

Topics covered include data analytics and data engineering, web development, coding, UI and UX design, cloud computing, digital marketing and cybersecurity. Having knowledge in these areas can help open doors to new opportunities in the workplace.

Running from November 2021 to October 2024, the training will be delivered by ten providers: Generation You Employed, University of Birmingham, School of Code, Tech Talent, Capita, The Skills Network, LEAD, Resume Foundation, Twin Training International and Code Your Future. As well as expertise in technology and digital skills, each has links to businesses providing interviews and job opportunities.

“New, exciting and future-proof jobs”

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and Chair of the West Midlands Combined Authority, said: “The sector offers new, exciting, and future-proof jobs, and digital bootcamps are a great way of helping local people get involved. I am delighted that we can now continue our great work and get more residents the skills they need to move into the high-quality, well-paid jobs of the future”.

The bootcamps come in a variety of forms, depending on the provider and subject. For example, Capita offers nationally accredited courses in a wide range of topics that are studied entirely online. University of Birmingham offers online and on campus 24-week bootcamps in Coding and Data Analytics. LEAD offers a six-day online course in Digital Marketing, as well as a 16-week programme in Data Analysis and Analytics. 

To explore which providers offer the course and study method that suits you, visit the Birmingham Tech website and scroll down to the list of providers.

For more information and resources about boosting your digital skills here in Sandwell (or sharing your skills to ensure others are not left behind), visit Think Sandwell’s Digital Sandwell page.