Skills and workforce development

The Economic Growth group is actively involved in supporting a range of provision to tackle our relatively poor performance on skills.

There is evidence of under performance at all levels (2, 3 and 4+) which acts as a brake on growth and prosperity and is a key contributing factor to poverty. The lack of skills at all levels limits business and job growth and reinforces worklessness and a cycle of poverty and disadvantage. 

We have supported several revenue and capital schemes to improve skill levels: 

• Kingsland Skills and Enterprise Centre (new window) (courses are run at this site by Dunstable College)
• Co Financing organisation to manage and distribute £2.2m European Social Fund 2007-2011
• Pathways to Employment (PtE) to quantify the employability and learning outcomes delivered by Beds CC services  PtE Report (PDF document opens in new window)

During 2008 we will complete research to explore poor performance at Level 4 and organise a Skills Summit  briefing paper| (PDF document opens in new window)  and the 2008 LAA| (new window) will include stretching targets on skills to raise performance and achievement.

 Skills Paper Statistics| (MS Excel document opens in new window)

For further information contact Sarah Hughes, Enterprise & Regeneration Manger.
Tel: (01234) 228582
Email: sarah.hughes@bedscc.gov.uk|

Useful sites for the skills agenda are:

East of England Skills and Competitiveness Partnership| (new window)

Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills| (new window)

Learning and Skills Council| (new window)

Jobcentre Plus| (new window)

Barnfield College| (new window)

Bedford College| (new window)

Dunstable College| (new window)

Adult and Community Learning – Bedfordshire| (new window)