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.

Popular Searches: Training Network

Choose a category to find out more

  • Explore all categories
  • 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? Contact 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

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

Future Bright: Free career coaching

Are you feeling stuck in your job? Feel like you need some support to help you get to the next step? Future Bright could offer you a personal career coach to help you develop and achieve your goals.

Whether you want to progress and increase your salary, boost your confidence, change career or even just improve your mindset, having someone in your corner to offer support and guidance can make a huge difference.

Future Bright is completely free, impartial and tailored towards you.

Join Future Bright

Future Bright logo

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

image
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

Building Connections with Building Growth – Retrofitting the Future

This event is all about bringing people together to learn, share, and grow in eco-friendly construction. Join us at Temple Studios for a few hours of exciting talks, hands-on workshops, and networking. Whether you’re an expert or just starting out, there’s something for everyone.

This event is perfect for:

  • Builders, electricians, plasterers, and gas boiler installers looking for new opportunities.
  • Architects, designers, engineers, and planners interested in sustainable building.
  • Homeowners wanting to learn about green construction and its benefits.

If you’re unsure about green construction, come along! Learn how others in your field have adapted and discover expert advice and funding options to help you get started in this growing industry.

Take this chance to learn new skills, ask questions, and connect with like-minded professionals!

Organizer: Building Growth South West

Address: Temple Studios, Temple Gate, Redcliffe, BS1 6QA

Bristol Date:27 Feb 2025 Time:5:30 pm

South Bristol Jobs & Apprenticeships Fair

The event will bring together a range of leading local employers with vacancies and apprenticeships on offer, as well as organisations that can offer key employment advice.
It’s the perfect opportunity for anyone looking to kickstart their career or choose the next step in their education to explore the options open to them

Session 11am- 2pm

Category: Apprenticeships, Getting into Work

Organizer: Bristol City Council's Employment Support Team The Office for Karin Smyth DWP City of Bristol College

Address: South Bristol Skills Academy, City of Bristol College, The Boulevard, Hengrove Park BS14 0DB

Bristol Date:27 Feb 2025 Time:11:00 am

Introduction to Self-employment – B&NES

Have you got a business idea?

Join our free Introduction to Self-Employment sessions to explore the possibility of running your own business. This friendly workshop will cover essential considerations and provide guidance on accessing further support and advice.

Who should attend:

This workshop is aimed at individuals, considering self-employment or setting up their own business.

A bit about your presenter:

This session will be run by our outreach business adviser Rachel Sweet who has years of experience helping small businesses start, develop and grow.

Essential information:

Your booking for this workshop is provisional until you have enrolled for the free Business Support Service. Enrolment is via a short online form – if you are not enrolled already, a link will be emailed directly to you.

If you are unable to attend this event, we require at least 2 working days notice for cancellations to enable us to offer your place to someone else. We reserve the right to cancel your place if you are not eligible for this service.

All participants of the service are eligible to receive up to 12 hours of free support. Open to B&NES residence only.

Category: Training & Upskilling

Organizer: Cool Ventures

Address: Burdall's Yard, 7A Anglo Terrace Bath BA1 5NH

Bath and North East Somerset Date:04 Mar 2025 Time:10:00 am
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

image
image
image