At least 6,000 more people are to get the chance to learn the skills they need to land a quality job following the announcement today of around £27m for the region’s innovative bootcamp training programme.

The Government funding will be used by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to run more of the bootcamps which specialise in upskilling people for work in fast growing industries like advanced manufacturing, digital, green technology and the creative sector.

The announcement was made by Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and Chair of the WMCA on a visit to see theatre technician bootcampers in action at Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre. He was joined by former England and Wolves footballer Steve Bull and TV presenter Suzi Perry, who are both patrons of The Grand, and Emmerdale actress, Fiona Ward and actress Vera Chok, who are currently performing at the theatre in 2.22 Ghost Story.

The funding is the largest of its kind in the UK and is almost double the £15.5m the WMCA received for bootcamps last year, which helped 4,600 unemployed adults and others looking to upskill.

If you are interested in learning more about WMCA funded bootcamps, click here.