FAQs

Skills Connect can be used to find training and support available in the West of England. You can search for available training in the Directory page. This section allows users to filter listing by categories (more information about categories below), location, filter training by sector (more information about sectors below), and eligibility. The Directory page also features a map (accessed by pressing the map view button) to allow you to see where face to face support is available. Please note that, due to the number of resources, they do not all appear on the same page, all but you can scroll through the resources using the page scroll buttons at the bottom.

Apprenticeships: Apprenticeships are a great route to earn as you learn, providing you with valuable experience and new skills. They are suitable for all sorts of people at different ages and stages of their careers, from school leavers to people upskilling in their careers and those seeking complete career changes. For employers, apprentices can help your business grow by improving productivity and building a skilled and qualified workforce. In fact, 96% of employers that take on an apprentice report benefits to their business. Discover apprenticeship provision and support options for both individuals and businesses who want to learn more. For wider information visit our dedicated apprenticeship page.

Training and upskilling: In today’s workplace, learning new skills is a great way to stay ahead of the game, boost your salary and provide greater job security. As you will discover from our Career Insights, some skills are very in-demand, which opens doors to climb the career ladder or even reskill for a career change. Browse a range of courses to help you gain extra knowledge and experience.

Career guidance: A successful career can look differently depending on the person. Whether you are just starting out in the world of work or feel established in your role, seeking advice and guidance can help you make decisions on learning, training, and jobs that are right for you. Explore a variety of options to help you on your career journey and get you where you want to be.

Getting into work: If you are not in work or looking to re-enter the workplace, there are support options to help prepare you for your perfect job. Whether you need information and guidance for your job search or want some practical help with CVs, applications, or interviews – there’s are a range of services focused on getting you the role you want.

Workforce / Employee Development and Support: Personal development is an increasingly important factor in where people work. Not only does it keep your workforce happy, but it also equips you with the right skills to achieve your business goals. There are endless benefits to training your employees and plenty of support options to help you make this happen. If you are an employer or businesses that’s seeking other kinds of business support, visit the West of England Growth Hub.

Wellbeing and Mental Health: Struggling with a mental health or wellbeing issue can have a huge impact on your working life. Low mood, anxiety and stress can impact how you cope in your role, cause you to you feel worried about losing your job, or mean that you’re not currently able to work. A wellbeing issue could also be a result of circumstance, such as being homeless, a victim of domestic abuse, or ex-offenders who are resettling. Here you’ll find a selection of support options to suit your individual needs.

Volunteering: Volunteering can make a real difference in your own life and the lives of those around you. Not only does it give a sense of purpose, but it also allows you to learn new skills and improve your overall job prospects. Take a look at some of the volunteering options available locally and find links to information, support and guidance for anyone thinking of starting a volunteering role.

Disability and other support needs: If you have a disability and/or learning support needs, you may have more complex challenges when navigating work. From finding work, to accessing mentoring, developing skills and much more – there are a range of tailored services who specialise in this area.

Education levels definitions within the apprenticeship and career insights page differs, this reflects national definitions.

Apprenticeship levels:
Intermediate/ Entry: Level 2 NVQ, which is the equivalent of 5 GCSEs and a BTEC diploma related to your course subject.
Advanced: Level 3 NVQ which is the equivalent of 2 A-Levels.
Higher: Level 4 or 5 NVQ, the equivalent to either a Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND) or Foundation Degree.
Degree: Level 6 or 7 NVQ, equivalent to a Bachelors or Masters Degree.

Career Insights levels:
Entry: Level 1
Intermediate: Level 2 or Level 3
Advanced: Level 4 +

Entry Level

Level 1 and entry level qualifications: any GCSEs at other grades, O levels or CSEs (any grades), Foundation Welsh Baccalaureate, 1 AS level, National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 1, Basic or Essential Skills, skills for life, literacy and numeracy, Level 2 Scottish Vocational qualifications​

​Intermediate Level

Level 2 qualifications: five or more GCSEs (A* to C or 9 to 4), O levels (passes), CSEs (grade 1), Intermediate Welsh Baccalaureate, one A level, two to three AS levels, NVQ level 2, Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) General, City and Guilds Craft, Level 2 Scottish Vocational qualifications​

Level 3 qualifications: two or more A levels, four or more AS levels, Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate, NVQ level 3, City and Guilds Advanced Craft, Ordinary National Certificate (ONC), Ordinary National Diploma (OND), BTEC National, International Baccalaureate, Level 3 Scottish Vocational qualifications​

Advanced Level

Level 4 qualifications and above: degree, foundation degree, PHD, Master's degrees, Higher National Diploma (HND) or Higher National Certificate (HNC), NVQ level 4 and above, professional qualifications (for example, teaching or nursing)​

There are a number of grants and bursaries available to support individuals to access learning and training. For more information about the support you might be eligible for, please speak directly to the learning/training provider.

To see national information about what finance you could be eligible for, see the Government student finance information website.

Eligible categories have been added into the Directory page to allow users to filter to resources aimed at those in specific locations or that have specific experiences. Please note, if a user has a specific experience or is from a particular demographic, it is does not mean they’re not eligible to access support available to all.

The full list of eligible categories is listed below.

• Resident of Bath and North East Somerset
• Resident of Bristol
• Resident of North Somerset
• Resident of South Gloucestershire
• Gender – Male(includes transgender, non-binary)
• Gender – Female(includes transgender, non-binary)
• Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME)
• Care Leavers, Young Carers &/or Carers
• Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET)
• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
• Unemployed &/or claiming a benefit (e.g Universal Credit)
• Refugee / Asylum seeker &/or Right to live and work in UK/ lived in UK 3 years
• Other (including Ex-Military, Recovering Addicts, Homeless, Ex-Offenders & Young Offenders)

Support is available to those based in Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. If you can’t find the support you need, contact one of our advisors.

If you are interested in a service or opportunity listed, but are not eligible, please contact us to let us know and we will try our best to help you.

If you are interested in a service or opportunity listed, but there is an issue preventing you from accessing it, please contact us to let us know and we will try our best to help you.

Skills Connect was developed to bring together physical and virtual resources and events that fit into our categories (see definitions above) and are available to those based in Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and/or South Gloucestershire.

We will use our discretion regarding which resources and events are suitable for uploading to the Skills Connect website.

To ensure everything advertised on our page is clear and easy to access, we encourage all listings to provide as much information as possible.

To list a resource please complete the following form.

To list an event please complete the following form.

If you need us to amend or delete a directory resource or event, please contact us.

If you’ve noticed an issue or error on the Skills Connect website, please get in touch to let us know.

Please contact us if you’d like to request marketing or branding materials.

If you have any other questions or feedback you’d like to share with us please get in touch.