Free 'skills bootcamps' aimed at boosting incomes and advancing careers are on offer for people aged 19 and over living in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area.

The courses, which last no more than 16 weeks and will be delivered by 12 training providers, offer support in finding job interviews and cover a range of sectors.

They include everything from video game technology and coding, electric vehicle maintenance and repair, insulation installation, construction skills, welding training, project management, leadership, marketing, data analysis, to health and care.

Employers can get up to 90 per cent off the cost of 'skills bootcamps', which will run to the end of the 2023/24 financial year after the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority secured £2.8m in Government funding.

Some of the courses launched in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough in 2021 and the new funding has enabled new courses like insulation installation and a course on digital accessibility.

One learner who enrolled on the 'full stack coding' course at Level 5 said: “The course has opened new career avenues for me to explore which were previously closed.

“I’m (also) excited by the end project of building a website. I’m going to host it myself and use it for my own personal projects.”

Another learner, who completed his IMI Level 2 Award in electric/hybrid vehicle routine maintenance activities, said: “Whilst on the course, I enjoyed learning about lots of various EV components and didn’t even realise how many different types of batteries there are.

“I am really proud of myself for achieving this, as I put a lot of hard work and effort into making sure I did it properly.”

The course enabled him to secure a ‘dream job’ of an apprenticeship at a body shop.

To register your interest in a Skills Bootcamp as an individual, employer, or training provider, visit the Skills Bootcamps webpage on the Combined Authority website.