Skills Bootcamps are flexible training courses and a new Government-funded initiative designed to give you the skills required to reboot your own career, improve existing employees’ skills or help you access talented staff for your business needs in up to 16 weeks.

Who is eligible?

Skills Bootcamps are available to individuals and employers within the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Authority area.

Skills bootcamps are 100% free for those:

Age 19+ by 31st August 2023

Unemployed or self-employed

Who are seeking a career change in new employment

Who are serving prisoners due to be released within 6 months of completing a Skills Bootcamp

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    There are hundreds of Skills Bootcamps available in various fields, including:

    • Digital: Data engineering, software development, marketing
    • Technical: Construction, engineering
    • Green: Electric vehicle maintenance, heat pump technology
    • Health and Social Care: Care management, well-being
    • HGV Driving: Suitable for new drivers or those returning to the industry
    • Business and Administration: Project management, insurance

    Skills Bootcamps typically take up to 16 weeks to complete and are designed with flexibility, allowing you to balance learning with family or other commitments.

    List of current Skills Bootcamps 

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    To enroll in a Skills Bootcamp, you must be 19 or older. Most Bootcamps do not require prior experience in the subject—just a good understanding of English and a desire to learn.

    Certain courses may have additional requirements, such as specific qualifications or experience. Any such prerequisites will be clearly outlined in the course details.

     

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    Some Skills Bootcamps offer a qualification upon completion, while others do not. If available, the qualification level will vary depending on the course and the provider.

    To find out if a specific Bootcamp offers a qualification, please check the individual course details.

    Even if a qualification is not provided, Skills Bootcamps are designed to help you secure a job or progress to another course that may lead to a qualification.

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    Upon completing your Skills Bootcamp, you’ll be guaranteed a job interview with an employer.

    You could also:

    • Secure a new job or apprenticeship
    • Advance in your current role
    • Explore new business opportunities if you’re self-employed
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    Skills Bootcamps offer several advantages, including:

    • Rapid Recruitment and Upskilling: Quickly find and train staff with the necessary skills.
    • Cost Reduction: Lower expenses associated with traditional recruitment processes.
    • Increased Productivity: Engage motivated learners who can introduce fresh ideas and perspectives.

    Accelerated Apprenticeships

    Participating in Skills Bootcamps can lead to accelerated apprenticeships, as the training is recognised as prior learning. This can shorten the duration of an apprenticeship programme, saving your business both time and costs.

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    Recruiting individuals who have completed Skills Bootcamps is free of charge for your business.

    If you choose to train an existing employee through Skills Bootcamps, you will need to contribute to the training costs:

    • 10% for small to medium employers (1 to 249 employees)
    • 30% for large employers (250 or more employees)

    Please note that your employees may need time off for study and classes, depending on the flexibility of the course and their work hours.

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    As part of the Skills Bootcamps scheme, you will need to provide:

    • A guaranteed job interview for participants
    • A safe working environment
    • An induction that covers key policies and procedures
    • A line manager to guide and mentor the student