Hull and East Yorkshire has taken another step forward for its residents with the creation of the Hull and East Yorkshire Skills Board. This group of big hitters will be tackling one of the biggest challenges for any growing area: making sure the people who live there have the skills for the jobs.
But what does that mean for you? Let’s get to the bottom of it.
Skills for a stronger future
First up the Skills Board is part of a bigger plan linked to the Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority which was established after a £400m devolution deal with the Government. That’s a lot of cash given to local leaders to make decisions locally.
The Skills Board’s job is simple but vital: to make sure the region’s workforce is ready for tomorrow. They’ll be looking at education and training opportunities for everyone, whether you’re a young person choosing your first career or someone looking to retrain in a completely new area.
What will the Skills Board do?
Here’s the detail. The Board will:
- Bring businesses and education providers together: Employers, schools, colleges and training groups will sit around the same table to talk about what skills are needed and how to deliver them.
- Manage the Adult Skills Fund: This is a fund of money to help adults gain new qualifications. Think of it as an opportunity to learn something new, whether it’s IT skills, engineering skills or even something niche like sustainable agriculture.
- Managing existing education programmes: The Board will also be responsible for existing training programmes in the region which were previously managed by the Hull and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
What local leaders say
Two councillors are particularly keen.
Councillor Linda Tock who is the children’s services spokesperson for Hull City Council said,
“It’s up to everyone to work together to make sure local people can access good quality education and training beyond 16. This Board will help everyone reach their full potential whatever their background.”
Councillor Victoria Aitken, East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s children and education spokesperson said,
“Skills are key to our economic future. This Board will make sure children and young people in this area are ready for the jobs of tomorrow.”
Who’s involved?
The Skills Board isn’t just a talking shop for local government. Its members include educators, businesses and even the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. Here’s a few of the organisations represented:
- BAE Systems
- Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership
- University of Hull
- Ron Dearing UTC
- Local colleges like Wyke and Bishop Burton
So they’ve got tech, healthcare and everything in between covered.
What’s next?
At their first meeting the group agreed to appoint a Chair and Deputy Chair in early 2020. With so many different voices in the room having strong leadership will be important to keep things on track.
And that’s just the start. Over the next few months and years the Skills Board will be shaping the training landscape for Hull and East Yorkshire so everyone has the skills they need to thrive.
So whether you’re a teenager wanting to be an engineer, a mid career worker looking to move into a tech role or even someone who’s not sure what’s next for you, this Board could be part of your future.
What does this mean for you?
If you live in Hull or East Yorkshire the Skills Board could open up opportunities you didn’t even know existed. Devolution means decisions are being made closer to home by people who understand the local challenges and opportunities.
It’s not just about employment – it’s about creating a place where everyone can flourish. New courses, funding to upskill, or just making sure young people are ready for work – it’s looking good.
