URL: https://cms.wiltshire.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2435

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, SEND, Education and Skills

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to seek a decision from Cllr Hubbard to approve awarding section 31 grant funding apportioned to Wiltshire Council to the Grant Recipients listed below for the delivery of Skills Bootcamp programmes.   Wiltshire Council is entering its third financial year of funding Grant Recipients to deliver Skills Bootcamps across Wiltshire and Swindon for learners aged 19+ who are one of the following: 1) unemployed, 2) require upskilling and 3) for the self-employed to address the skills gap to support businesses and the economy.   Wiltshire Council has received £1,500,000.00 from the Department for Works and Pensions for the delivery of Skills Bootcamps across Swindon and Wiltshire for the financial year 2026- 2027.   This report seeks approval to award the following amounts of grant funding to the Grant Recipients listed below for the implementation of Skills Bootcamp programmes:   ·         The Construction Skills People Group Ltd £52,500 ·         Western Driver Training £59,998.20 ·         Yeovil College £80,000.00  

Content: The purpose of this report is to seek a decision from Cllr Hubbard to approve awarding section 31 grant funding apportioned to Wiltshire Council to the Grant Recipients listed below for the delivery of Skills Bootcamp programmes.   Wiltshire Council is entering its third financial year of funding Grant Recipients to deliver Skills Bootcamps across Wiltshire and Swindon for learners aged 19+ who are one of the following: 1) unemployed, 2) require upskilling and 3) for the self-employed to address the skills gap to support businesses and the economy.   Wiltshire Council has received £1,500,000.00 from the Department for Works and Pensions for the delivery of Skills Bootcamps across Swindon and Wiltshire for the financial year 2026- 2027.   This report seeks approval to award the following amounts of grant funding to the Grant Recipients listed below for the implementation of Skills Bootcamp programmes:   ·         The Construction Skills People Group Ltd £52,500 ·         Western Driver Training £59,998.20 ·         Yeovil College £80,000.00   Following consultation with officers I give notice that I intend to award the grants set out in the attached report   If you would like to make any representations to me on this issue please do so by 2 September 2026. A range of stakeholders have been engaged; the interventions vary from online to classroom-based courses, and aim to up skill a diverse range of potential future employees. There is robust monitoring and outcomes focussed oversight from the Department of Education for the duration of the programme. The council has considered all the expressions of interest from providers and aimed to offer a broad and diverse delivery mechanism, involving a range of locations and delivery models. We have also continued to engage with stakeholders when making decisions to ensure the programme remains aligned with local market demand/ need.   The initial bid by Wiltshire Council was submitted after extensive consultation with the SWLEP networks, as well as being informed by the local skills improvement plan.   Consultation with other Local Authorities as has also been undertaken to learn from best practice and develop processes.   The engagement of new and existing providers was sought through and expressions of interest process with RAG rated reviews.   A representation was received and approved by SMT around the reporting measures in place for providers and how impact is demonstrated for money granted. All providers are set KPIs and payment is only made on successful completion of KPIs which mitigates spend risks.    

Date of Decision: August 25, 2026