Skills for Employment grants worth £430,000

13 business and education partnerships have been awarded a major grant to tackle skills challenges.

Two of the projects funded are for the Hospitality and Visitor sector. One is led by Shakespeare’s England which with its partners Q Hotels, Stratfordward BID, Stratford-upon-Avon College and Birmingham International Airport will work with schools across the county to increase awareness and understanding of the wide range of employment opportunities available at different levels in the sector.

The Warwickshire College Group was awarded a grant to tackle similar challenges in the construction sector. Two other grants will fund new businesses being set up in schools.

Kineton High School was awarded £30,000 to buy cutting edge technology and set up a student-run, on-site professional services hub. The students will provide creative digital services to the school’s partner businesses, including the British Motor Museum and Ettington Chase Hotel.

Woodlands all-age community school in Coleshill has received almost £40,000 to set up Laser Blazer, an on-line laser cutting micro-business to provide students with the skills and experience to enable them to go on and gain paid employment. Supported by job coaches, students will run their own laser cutting business, trading online as well as at craft fairs and local events.

These awards take the total grant funding awarded by the Skills for Employment programme to over £1m. For more information about the projects awarded grants contact Glenn Robinson (glennrobinson@warwickshire.gov.uk or 01926 418027)