The UK government is offering a total of 65 free short and modular courses to train adults in STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) sectors, in subjects including digital construction.
Thousands of working adults are expected to enrol in the courses at 10 Institutes of Technology (IoT), which will comprise a mix of classroom working and online study.
The courses will be between 50 to 138 hours, depending on which one is chosen.
The programmes will be available to working adults aged 19 and over, with priority given to those employed locally to the IoT in industries such as digital and healthcare.
The IoTs have worked in partnership with local employers to ensure courses address existing skills gaps.
A total of £6.4m is being invested in the initiative, which is expected to support up to 4,000 individuals.
From September 2022, the government will start rolling out newly approved Higher Technical Qualifications, beginning with digital.
Construction and health are set to follow in 2023.
Higher Technical Qualifications will provide a progression route for both young people taking T Levels or A Levels, and adults looking to upskill or retrain.
Minister for Further and Higher Education Michelle Donelan said: “Making sure more people can train and develop at any stage of their life to secure high skilled, high paid jobs is at the heart of our plans.
“These fantastic new courses will open up more training alternatives for adults, address skills gaps in our economy, and level up opportunities across the country.”
Image: Chaay_Tee/Shutterstock
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