It's your future...

Discover skills, training and career support in the West of England to help you get to where you want to be.

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  • Apprenticeships
  • Career Guidance
  • Disability & Other Support Needs
  • Getting into Work
  • Mental Health & Wellbeing
  • Training & Upskilling
  • Volunteering
  • Workforce Development & Support

Can’t find what you’re looking for or unsure of where to start? Contact one of our expert advisors

About us

Find your next step

Skills Connect empowers people of all ages and career stages to find skills, training, and career support in the region.

We’ve showcased what’s available in a simple and accessible way, so you can find success – whatever that means for you.

If you need extra help, contact one of our dedicated advisors who can assist you to navigate the support options and find something suitable for you.

Contact an advisor

A shot taken from above of a large group of people including Dan Norris at this year's Jobs and Skills Summit. There is a white flag with the West of England Combined Authority logo on to the left

Our campaigns

Redundancy support

Being at risk of, or being made redundant, can be an extremely stressful and worrying time, however it can also present exciting new opportunities.  We can help you navigate support and identify new opportunities. 

Find out more

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Our campaigns

Skills Bootcamps

Skills Bootcamps are free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and fast-track to an interview with an employer.

If you’re aged 19 and over and looking to change sectors or progress in your current industry, a Skills Bootcamp could be your next step to a better job with more job security and higher wages over time.

Find a relevant Skills Bootcamp

People sat at a table laughing

Our campaigns

Apprenticeships: Share to support

Are you a large employer with unspent apprenticeship levy?

You can stop the money being lost from the region by pledging your unspent levy to a local small business, helping to create jobs and support progression in work.

Learn more about share to support

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Image credit: IDPS, University of Bath

Our campaigns

Future Bright: Free career coaching

Are you feeling stuck in your job? Feel like you need some support to help you get to the next step? Future Bright could offer you a personal career coach to help you develop and achieve your goals.

Whether you want to progress and increase your salary, boost your confidence, change career or even just improve your mindset, having someone in your corner to offer support and guidance can make a huge difference.

Future Bright is completely free, impartial and tailored towards you.

Join Future Bright

Future Bright logo

Our Campaigns

Careers in Retrofit

Retrofitting is a growing industry driven by the need for low-carbon, energy-efficient buildings. Explore our retrofit careers insights pages to learn about opportunities in this rewarding field, including entry-level pathways, upskilling options for professionals, and how transferable skills benefit career changers.

Find out more

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Image credit: Weston College

Apprenticeships

Earn and learn on the job

Apprenticeships are becoming increasingly popular – and for good reason. They offer many pathways to work, earn and train with options available for people of all ages, backgrounds and career stages.

An apprenticeship could be your opportunity to explore a career and gain a qualification in an area you didn't know was possible.

Find out more

Events

What’s on

Find a range of skills, training and career support events happening near you or virtually.

Whether it's information sessions, jobs fairs or networking, discover what's available and sign up today.

View all events

How to Create Great Social Media Marketing Content – Yate

This event is only available and is free for small businesses, small charities, sole traders and residents based in South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset.

Are you struggling to see results from your social media marketing?

Unsure what to post about or what would work for your business and various platforms?

Join Holly Bell, our social media marketing expert, for an in-person workshop designed for busy small business owners, sole traders, and aspiring entrepreneurs.

What will I learn?

  • Create content that connects: Learn how to make posts your audience will enjoy and respond to. This includes an introduction to Instagram Reels!
  • Manage social media with less stress: Get tips to stay on top of things without feeling overwhelmed.
  • Save time: Find out how to make content quickly and efficiently.
  • Figure out what works: Understand which posts get results and why.
  • Feel more confident: Know what to post and how to keep things running smoothly.

Category: Training & Upskilling

Organizer: Cool Ventures

Address: West Walk #Unit 44 Yate BS37 4AX

South Gloucestershire Date:23 Jan 2025 Time:10:00 am

WorkWell West – Launch Event – North Somerset

WorkWell West is a free support programme designed to assist individuals with health conditions in Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire to:

  • Return to work following illness or injury.
  • Remain employed by addressing workplace challenges.
  • Explore new opportunities tailored to their abilities.

This collaborative initiative, delivered in partnership with the NHS, Bristol City Council, DWP, and local councils, connects participants with GPs, employers, Job Centres, and community organisations to overcome health-related barriers to employment.

 

23rd January, 10am – 2pm: For All Healthy Living Centre, North Somerset

 

These events provide an opportunity to learn more about WorkWell and explore how we can work together to support local communities.

 

We look forward to seeing you there!

Category: Getting into Work, Mental Health & Wellbeing

Organizer: WorkWell West

Address: For All Healthy Living Centre, North Somerset

North Somerset Date:23 Jan 2025 Time:10:00 am

Bristol Jobs Fair

The event runs from 10am – 1pm and has an Eventbrite ticket allocation of 1,000 local candidates per event. We actively communicate to our candidates to dress smartly, bring an up-to-date CV, and ID.

Category: Getting into Work

Address: Ashton Gate Stadium, Wedlock Way, Bristol, BS3 2L

Bristol Date:24 Jan 2025 Time:10:30 am
A group of people flank Metro Mayor Dan Norris, all smiling at the camera at a Skills Event. Dan holds a drone.

Career Insights

Job market insights

Unsure about which career to choose? It can be tricky to know where to begin.

Find the perfect job match – uncover ideas and career pathways informed by the latest labour market information.

Find out more

  • building 46,000+ Businesses
  • image 630,000+ Employee jobs
  • £30,000 Average wage per annum
Mayoral Priorities

Metro Mayor's focus

Welcome to Skills Connect.

The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority has significant jobs and training support for local people, with a value of £60 million.

We’re helping over 10,000 people of all ages in our region every year and Skills Connect aims to help an extra 3,000 to upskill, progress in work and find new opportunities.

I am proud to offer this single regional jobs, careers, and training support service so everyone can easily explore and access support.

Get curious, discover your options, and find some help to change the future of your career for the better.

Learn more about the Mayor's priorities

Metro Mayor Dan Norris is stood next to a young man at a welding course holding a hammer and the man is wearing a visor on his head. Dan is wearing an orange glove and they are both wearing boiler suits.

Partnerships

Local authority partners

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