It’s the business support service that allows businesses to tap into funding to upskill their workforce and grow their company.
The recent announcement of Calderdale College as the managing agent sees the new phase of Sheffield City Region’s Skills Bank move a step closer to its official launch.
Skills Bank enables businesses to access funding provided by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), for bespoke training that responds directly to their needs and supports growth in their organisation.
Calderdale College will work closely with Sheffield City Region’s Growth Hub team to manage the funding and support local organisations with their applications.
The Growth Hub’s specialist skills advisors will also signpost businesses to other support and advice that might be available to help them to grow.
The project supports the mission of the SCR’s Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to create jobs and drive economic growth by providing local businesses with the tools they need to succeed.
James Muir, the recently-appointed Chair of the LEP, said: “Sheffield City Region has an economy of more than £33bn, which has already grown by £1.34 billion between 2013 and 2015.
“Our target as a LEP is to further grow our region’s economy by 10% (£3.1 billion) before 2024 – and we are well on track to achieve these ambitions.
“Skills Bank is absolutely key to growing our region’s businesses, particularly SMEs. I’m therefore delighted to see that Calderdale College has been appointed, and that the next phase of Skills Bank is soon to launch.
“As well as enabling people to advance their careers, upskilling workers means increased productivity and ultimately more jobs and economic growth for the region as a whole – securing our position as a highly attractive place to start up, locate and invest.”
Ebrahim Dockrat, Director of Commercial Services and Partnerships at Calderdale College, said: “Skills Bank is a huge initiative for Sheffield City Region and we are thrilled to be appointed as the managing agent.
“At Calderdale College, our focus is on helping employers develop the skills they need to grow their business and this programme will do exactly that. We bring a huge amount of expertise from our many years of working closely with the Education and Skills Funding Agency on major funded training programmes. I’m pleased that we can add Skills Bank to our portfolio and look forward to the next phase.”
Skills Bank is due to launch in the coming weeks as part of the range of services offered by the Growth Hub, a gateway to support for businesses across Sheffield City Region.
If you are an employer or a training provider and would like to find out more about Skills Bank, visit www.sheffieldcityregion.org.uk/project/skills-bank/
Follow @SCRGrowthHub or search for Sheffield City Region Growth Hub on LinkedIn for updates.