Key Sector Skills
To support both the existing and future workforce, the NWDA
supports a number of training and employment initiatives, including
training for members of the current workforce and future workforce
who require key sector skills training.
National Skills Academies
National Skills Academies are employer-led training centres that
aim to deliver the specific skills that employers in specialist
sectors need. The NWDA works with these employers, training
providers and the Government to make sure the industry training
available supports the region’s businesses.
There are currently 11 National Skills
Academies and a further five are at the planning
stage. The NWDA helps fund National Skills Academies in the
following sectors: Financial Services; Food & Drink
Manufacturing; Nuclear; Process Industries; and Sport & Active
Leisure.
The NWDA is also funding Logistics Academy Northwest - a pilot
Academy based at the University of Cumbria.
As well as providing training, Academies also support:
developing regional infrastructure; developing a regional business
plan to keep sector stakeholders informed of future goals; and
commissioning research to identify employer training needs.
Digital & Creative Sector Training
With the MediaCityUK development
underway at Salford Quays and the confirmation of the BBC’s
relocation to the site, the NWDA has identified the Digital &
Creative sector as a priority for investment in skills
development.
The skills programme will train the existing and emerging
workforce in the Northwest audiovisual industries as well as
building capacity in the training infrastructure to meet the
demands of MediaCityUK.
The project will deliver bespoke training for 285 self-employed
individuals, support 140 employees of SME audiovisual businesses in
skills development and support 165 of new entrants into the
workforce.
Automotive Sector Training
The NWDA has approved £1.5 million of funding to extend the
existing Coaching & Leadership Solutions project available to
the automotive sector to support it during the economic
downturn.
The programme helps with the retention and development of skills
and supports the development of key higher level skills for
individuals. It also helps businesses to carry out the
product/process innovations needed to ensure short-term business
survival and position companies for growth once the economy starts
to recover.
In the longer term, the NWDA is helping automotive sector
companies access funding for collaborative R&D, which will help
them to introduce low carbon technologies such as cleaner engines,
lighter vehicles, hybrids and electric vehicles.