Bet your boots on skill camps? - Epsom & Ewell Times

Hundreds of residents across Surrey can fast track their careers for free thanks to a range of courses in nine exciting and growing sectors.

Surrey County Council is offering anyone aged 19 and over the opportunity to gain new skills and boost their earnings via a range of Skills Bootcamps.

These government-funded courses are flexible and can be completed in up to 16 weeks – meaning individuals can learn new skills easily and quickly at a time that suits them. Businesses can also use them as a low-cost way to upskill their current workforce.

More than 500 courses are available across Surrey over the next nine months, in sectors such as health and social care, gaming, cyber, construction and advanced engineering.

For most courses, no previous knowledge of the subject is required.

All offer a guaranteed interview on completion – meaning they are ideal for those looking to progress in their current role or change careers.

The first courses start this month with several Skills Bootcamps providers at the Camberley Careers Fair on Monday (July 15) at Camberley Theatre from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

Anyone can attend the event and discover more about these career-boosting courses, while also getting advice from local organisations on personal finances, starting a business and how to secure a job.

Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, said: “Our continuous support of improving skills in Surrey is essential to our local economy. Whether learning a new skill or upskilling existing skills these free courses will help Surrey residents.

“We are delighted to have been successful in securing £2.7 million from the Department for Education to support residents improve their career prospects through these Surrey Skills Bootcamps.

“Ensuring our residents have the right skills to secure good-quality jobs in growing sectors within Surrey is vital to us maintaining our position as one of the UK’s largest regional economies. These free flexible courses are a great way to do that.

“Supporting local people into great careers is good for our economy and good for our communities – ensuring we can offer a better quality of life for all, ensuring no one is left behind.”

All of the Skills Bootcamps courses have been developed closely with industry to ensure they meet the future needs of local businesses and the wider economy.

Any adult living in Surrey can sign up to a course, providing they have the right to work in the UK and they can commit to completing the course.

Skills Bootcamps can also be used by local businesses to upskill current employees at a discounted rate.

A full list of courses and start dates can be found on the Surrey County Council website.

Skills Bootcamps were first launched in 2021 by the Department for Education (DfE).
Skills Bootcamps are one of several skills products promoted as part of Skills for Life and DfE’s It all starts with skills campaign. This aims to get more people to start their skills journey by increasing supply of and demand for technical qualifications and skills offers among employers, young people and adults.
Skills Bootcamps are now being delivered at a regional level by Surrey County Council through training providers, allowing local government to identify the skills needed for economic growth and development.
Within Surrey, training is available across nine key sectors:
Cyber
Game development
Construction – insulation
Construction – retrofit
Construction – heat pumps
Green electrical – electric vehicles and solar panels
Sustainability and carbon management
Advanced engineering
Health and social care
More information on Skills Bootcamps, including information on how to apply, can be found on the County Council website.
You must be over 19 years of age, have the right to work in the UK and be available to study according to the cohort start and end dates (March 2025).