WHAT ARE SKILLS BOOTCAMPS?

Skills Bootcamps provide flexible hands-on training courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and fast-track to an interview with a local employer or progress in their current workplace. For employers, they give you the opportunity to upskill existing employees or recruit from a talent-pool of recently trained individuals to fill vacancies.  

Training is part of the Skills for Life fund by the Department for Education and developed locally by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, working closely with local employers and training providers.  

INDIVIDUALS

Skills Bootcamps are the modern, practical way to build your skills to get the job you want.

If you’re aged 19+, in work, self-employed, unemployed, or returning to work after a break, and looking to quickly increase your skills in a specific area and fast-track into a new role a Skills Bootcamp could be the right choice for you.

If you want to work in rapidly growing sectors or get a job that needs skills you don’t have, these short courses can help you progress quickly. They are designed to improve your employability, and to be flexible, fitting learning around your family and other commitments.

And the best part – IT’S COMPLETELY FREE!

Who can apply?

Anyone who is:

• Living in the Liverpool City Region (Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens or Wirral)
• Aged 19+ (by 31st August 2025)
• Has the right to work in the UK and has a National Insurance number
• Not enrolled on other funded training that offers similar skills and knowledge
• Registered unemployed and can demonstrate a readiness to return to work, or returning to work after time out (e.g. looking after adults or children)
• Currently employed and looking to re-skill or change career.
• Employed full time wanting to develop with your current employer (in this scenario, your employer is required to register as an Employer)
• Self-employed looking to develop your existing business or get an idea you have for a business started.
• Can commit to the full length of the Skills Bootcamp enrolled on
• Has not attended another Skills Bootcamp this funding period

What you’ll get

• A fully funded skills training programme, lasting up to 16 weeks
• An opportunity to receive careers guidance and support to gain a job interview
• Flexible training, to allow you to take part if you are working or have other repsonsibilities

EMPLOYERS

Skills Bootcamps will help employers play a leading role in the skills system by enabling them to fill skills gaps at a local level.

You can play a key role in designing and developing bespoke training to fit the skills needs of your organisation. You can encourage your existing staff to take a Skills Bootcamp, helping your business to fill skills gaps whilst also investing in retaining your people. Alternatively, you could look to offer a job interview to an individual who completes a Skills Bootcamp and recruit new talent into your organisation.

• Is your organisation experiencing skills gaps?
• Do you want to develop roles in your organisation to support business growth?
• Do you want to recruit new talent to fill vacancies?

Who can apply?

Employers who:

Have a workplace in the Liverpool City Region and:

• Have existing employees who require upskilling to significantly develop their role responsibilities

Or

• Are looking to recruit new talent to fill skills gaps

What you’ll get

Opportunities to work with Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and training providers to input into the design and development of bespoke Skills Bootcamp training that meets the individual needs of your organisation.

Upskilling existing employees:

• A Training Needs Analysis completed by one of our Skills Brokers
• 90% of the skills training funded for SMEs with less than 250 employees
• 70% of the skills training funded for larger employers
• Existing employees who feel valued, with new skills to implement into your organisation

Looking to recruit new talent:

• Access to new external candidates, freshly trained in the skills you need

What you’ll need to do

Upskilling existing employees:

• Provide details of the skills you need for your existing employees
• Offer of a new or enhanced role for a job that utilises the new skills acquired through the Skills Bootcamp

Looking to recruit new talent:

• Work with our Skills Brokers to provide details of the skills your organisation is looking for
• Agree to provide job interviews to an agreed number of candidates who have completed training
• Interview people fairly and support their retention and development

MARIANA: “THE TRAINING CHANGED EVERYTHING FOR ME”

Ukranian artist and medical interpreter Mariana Potetenko showcases the amazing billboard designed and created for Eurovision.

Mariana had accessed a design course via LCR Skills Bootcamps to further her skills to assist in her creation.

KODI: “I’LL NEVER HAVE TO WORK ANOTHER DAY IN MY LIFE”

Kodi Benson shares her story of how at the age of 32 she left her job and pursued a new career with Clan Industry, made possible via LCR Skills Bootcamp training.

Kodi is now working on the restoration of heritage buildings such as the Town Hall in Manchester and loving every minute of it!

RYAN: “I DEFINITELY FEEL MORE CONFIDENT NOW”

Ryan shares his experience having finished a Lab Skills Bootcamp Skills course.

Having not had the opportunity to practice hands on skills due to the pandemic, Ryan explains how Skills Bootcamps have transformed this for him.