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.

Choose a category to find out more

  • 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? Speak to 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

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Our campaigns

Future Bright: Free career coaching

Future Bright offers free career coaching to help you move forward.

Feel stuck, need a change, or don’t know how to progress?

Future Bright is here to help people who work and want to learn new skills, take the next step in their career, gain confidence or earn more money.

Join Future Bright

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

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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

Three people working on a project
Image credit: IDPS, University of Bath

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.

Pathways to Work Event

A community event to support parents, carers, and those with flexible working needs.

Join us for practical advice and support on returning to work, building confidence, exploring flexible job roles, and accessing training opportunities. Whether you’re a parent, carer, or seeking flexible employment, this event is designed to help you take the next step.

Held at Hartcliffe Community Centre, Hareclive Rd, Bristol BS13 0JW from 10am- 1pm

Organizer: Bristol City Council

Address: Hartcliffe Community Centre, Hareclive Rd, Bristol BS13 0JW

Bristol Date:08 Oct 2025 Time:10:00 am

Future Leap – Electricians’ Skills & Networking Evening

This event is designed for electricians and electrical trade professionals eager to expand their expertise in renewable energy, and connect with others in the trade.

What’s this event about?
Discover how cutting-edge technologies such as solar photovoltaic (PV), solar thermal, and battery storage can seamlessly integrate with your existing skills to create more efficient, and future-ready energy systems.

Why Attend
FREE £5 Greggs voucher for all attendees
Double-up your Greggs voucher if you bring a friend!
FREE to attend, and food & drinks will be provided.

What to Expect
Hands-On Insights: See how renewable energy technologies like solar PV, battery storage, and EV charging can boost efficiency in your projects.
Training & Support: Discover the accredited training options and business support available.
Networking: Meet experts from Retrofit West CIC, The Green Register, and connect with fellow construction professionals.
Career & Skills Development: Explore opportunities to grow in the expanding field of energy-efficient construction.
The Latest Products: Get hands-on with the newest systems, tools, and techniques to deliver smarter electrical installations.

Who Should Attend: Electricians, roofers, and other tradespeople working with electrical systems and looking to enhance building energy efficiency.

This event offers the opportunity to expand your skills, connect with industry professionals, and stay ahead of the latest trends in electrical technologies.

This event is funded by West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and Retrofit West. Thank you to Future Leap for event managing this series.

The Business Support Project mission aims to accelerate the move to low-carbon housing and a greener future across the West of England. Across this partnership Retrofit West, Future Leap, The Green Register and Building Growth Southwest are boosting local employment opportunities and elevating the health and wellbeing of our residents as a top priority. By upskilling tradespeople in green construction, we can improve domestic energy efficiency and have a wide-ranging impact on shrinking carbon emissions.

Category: Training & Upskilling

Organizer: Future Leap

Address: Future Leap - BS15 8QP

Bristol Date:22 Oct 2025

Bristol Careers Fair

Looking for a new Career? Looking for your next Hire? The UK Careers Fair returns to Bristol on Wednesday 22nd October. Meet local and national employers face-to-face, and apply directly for hundreds of vacancies at the Bristol Careers Fair. Starting at 10am and finishing at 2pm. We recommend arriving at the venue before 1pm in order to give you enough time to visit every stand.

Category: Getting into Work

Organizer: UK Careers Fair

Address: Bristol Beacon, Beacon, Trenchard St, Bristol BS1 5AR

Bristol Date:22 Oct 2025 Time:10:00 am
People at a careers stand

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

Partnerships

Local authority partners

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