The Portfolio Holder Decisions/Leader Decisions meeting on Thursday 15 January 2026 approved the acceptance of £1.5 million in funding from the Department for Education's National Skills Fund to deliver Skills Bootcamps across Warwickshire. This funding will support residents in gaining job-ready skills in key sectors.

Receipt of Funding for Skills Bootcamps

The meeting saw the approval of funding from the Department for Education under section 14 of the Education Act 2002. Councillor Rob Howard, Portfolio Holder for Economy, highlighted this as a significant opportunity to enhance employment prospects within the county. The decision was made to accept £1.5 million in grant funding from the National Skills Fund, which will be used to provide Skills Bootcamps between April 2026 and September 2027, with a potential for a 12-month extension based on performance.

The Skills Bootcamps are designed to be intensive, flexible, and inclusive training programmes aimed at addressing skills shortages and fostering economic growth. They will focus on employer-informed training in priority sectors such as advanced manufacturing, digital technology, creative industries, tourism and hospitality, health and social care, professional and business services, and construction. The funding is expected to support approximately 420 learners.

Councillor Wayne Briggs, Portfolio Holder for Education, inquired about the criteria for securing further funding. David Ayton-Hill, Director of Economy and Place, confirmed that officers are confident in their ability to meet the requirements and secure extensions, noting strong demand for such programmes in Warwickshire. Councillor Briggs expressed his interest in visiting one of the bootcamps once they are operational.

The decision authorises the Executive Director for Communities to enter into the necessary grant funding agreement with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. This includes undertaking any procurement activities and entering into contracts required to deliver the Skills Bootcamps. A minimum of £400,000 of the funding must be allocated to construction sector-related Skills Bootcamps as part of the government's wider Construction Skills Package for 2026/27. Up to 15% of the total funding, amounting to £225,000, can be used for management and administration costs.

The decision was made under urgent procedures due to the short timeframe for accepting the funding offer, which was received on 6 January 2026, requiring confirmation within 10 days. This did not allow for the usual publication and call-in periods. The urgency was consented to by Councillor Yousef Dahmash, Chair of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee, who confirmed that the decision could not be deferred without prejudice to the council or the public interest. The decision was not considered contrary to the council's budget and policy framework.

The full details of this decision can be found in the Decisions Thursday 15-Jan-2026 13.00 Portfolio Holder DecisionsLeader Decisions.pdf. Further information on the reports considered is available in the Public reports pack Thursday 15-Jan-2026 13.00 Portfolio Holder DecisionsLeader Decisions.pdf. The minutes of the meeting are available in the Public minutes Thursday 15-Jan-2026 13.00 Portfolio Holder DecisionsLeader Decisions.pdf.