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? 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

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

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

Two men talking at work

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

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.

View all events

Midlife Work Review 2025

Are you looking to support your 45+ workforce or over 45 yourself and seeking information, advice, and guidance for the next stage of your employment? Then come along to this FREE event hosted by the Bath & North East Somerset Council at the Apex City of Bath Hotel. Join the Employment and Skills Pod for an exciting event, the Midlife Work Review, where both individuals and businesses will receive the support, they need to plan for a healthier and happier future. Employers will receive advice, guidance, and tools on how to support, upskill, and retain their workforce, while individuals will be able to get advice and guidance to review their finances, career, and health and wellbeing.

Don’t miss out on this unique experience to connect with like-minded individuals and embrace the possibilities that lie ahead. Register today to secure your spot—exhibitors can book a maximum of two tickets with sandwiches, tea, and coffee provided. For the general public there will be unlimited tea and coffee all day for you to help yourself to. If you can’t make the whole day, then please do drop-in. This event will feature brilliant speakers, engaging workshops, and a marketplace of relevant organisations to help you plan your next stage of work and life.

Why Attend?

  • Expert Advice & Guidance: Attend sessions led by the Employment & Skills Pod.
  • Support for Employers: Learn how to retain, upskill, and support your workforce with practical tools and insights.
  • Individual Guidance: Get valuable advice on managing your finances, career development, health, and wellbeing.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded individuals and explore new possibilities for your mid-life career journey.
  • Workshops & Speakers: Participate in engaging workshops and listen to insightful speakers.
  • Marketplace: Discover organisations that can assist you in planning the next stage of your work and life.

Category: Career Guidance

Organizer: Bath and North East Somerset

Address: Apex City of Bath Hotel, James Street West Bath BA1 2DA

Bath and North East Somerset Date:02 Apr 2025 Time:10:00 am

Employability Day

Run by the Opportunity North Somerset team and Refugees Welcome North Somerset, with regular partner support from Community Learning, Read Easy, DWP, as well as recruitment agencies and employers from a variety of sectors.

Session runs every Wednesday from 11:30-2:30pm

Category: Career Guidance, Getting into Work

Organizer: Opportunity North Somerset

Address: Weston Library, Town Hall, Weston Super Mare, BS23 1UJ

North Somerset Date:02 Apr 2025 Time:11:30 am

Drop-in community support and integration hub

At our advice drop ins our team are ready to help you with:

  • Housing, benefit and employment support
  • Information about services in South Gloucestershire
  • Advice on how to access healthcare, wellbeing support and education
  • Understanding life in the UK

We also offer:

  • Basic English practice and wellbeing activities
  • Opportunities to socialise and join in with trips and events

Advice sessions Tuesdays 10am-12pm and Wednesday 2:30pm – 4pm

Category: Career Guidance, Disability Support, Getting into Work, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Training & Upskilling

Organizer: ACH

Address: North Patchway Hall, Gloucester Road, Patchway, BS34 6ND

South Gloucestershire Date:02 Apr 2025 Time:2:30 pm
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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