FWD

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New skills initiative helps Bath residents take their career forward

Tuesday, 28 November, 2023

Bath Spa University is part of a groundbreaking initiative at the forefront of skills development, training, research, and innovation, set to launch its transformative programme in January 2024.

Designed to meet the dynamic needs of businesses, employees and learners, FWD is a collaboration between Bath Spa University, Bath and North East Somerset Council, Bath College, and the University of Bath, backed by funding from the West of England Combined Authority.

FWD has been created to meet the rapidly changing needs of key regional sectors to facilitate collaborative working and links modular curriculum with innovation activity and events.

The skills and training programme launches in January 2024, offering individuals across the region the opportunity to upskill or reskill in one of four pathways: Health, Sustainability, Digital and Enterprise. Learners can access a single short course across five weeks or an entire pathway across eight. Courses are offered free to learners.

The initiative creates real project-based learning opportunities between businesses, employees and learners, and it is anticipated will help to drive business growth, productivity and inclusion. FWD will engage employers and employees as well as those who are unemployed and under-represented.

FWD is open to anyone aged 19+ that lives in or near Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset, Bristol or South Gloucestershire.

Learners on the FWD programme will gain new skills and have access to careers education, information, advice and guidance and to mentorship from employers. The skills and training sessions are taught in Bath by staff from Bath Spa University and Bath College.

Professor Andy Salmon, Professor of Social and Creative Enterprise at Bath Spa University, commented:

"FWD is unique in the UK in two ways. Firstly, it joins skills and innovation across challenge-led themes – in other words, Sustainability, Health, Digital Skills and Entrepreneurship. Secondly, it uses the combined expertise of two universities, an FE College, and a business ecosystem. Only by such cohesion can we seriously expect to address the complex multifaceted agendas we all now face."

Jayne Davis, Principal and Chief Executive of Bath College, emphasized the unprecedented accessibility provided by FWD, stating that:

"It is rarely the case that individuals can tap into the training expertise, experience, and resources of three respected organizations simultaneously. The FWD project has made this possible so that participants, whether individuals or employers, can get the best out of their upskilling and re-skilling in a responsive and flexible way."

For further information on the project and details of how to apply, please visit our website.