Skills Connect

Skills Connect offers free training courses to all adults across West Yorkshire. Focusing on key sectors such as digital, construction and the green economy, health and graduates. It is delivered by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in partnership with the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) under the LEP’s FutureGoals brand.

Skills Connect is funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority through Gainshare, which was secured by the Leaders of West Yorkshire Councils and the Combined Authority through the West Yorkshire Devolution Deal.

Luminate Education Group is contracted to deliver Skills Connect through West Yorkshire Learning Providers and the West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges.

Our current course offering

NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction (UK)

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Collaborative Apprenticeships

The Collaborative Apprenticeships project aims to increase the quantity and quality of apprenticeships across the Leeds City Region. Bradford College, Calderdale College, Luminate Education Group, Leeds College of Building, Shipley College and Wakefield College, Wakefield Council and the Textile Centre of Excellence will work in partnership with several local employers to deliver key pilot projects.

These pilot projects will test how to use the Levy within the region, support employers to take on and manage apprentices, along with testing new, ‘wrap around’ training and services for apprentices that will be funded by the European Social Fund. This should enhance the apprenticeship experience and equip apprentices with the right skills to help businesses grow.

The project will support all sectors but will have a focus on the skills required to:

  • enable the delivery of major capital/infrastructure schemes
  • stimulate growth in the digital skills base for businesses in all sectors
  • meet replacement demand in engineering and manufacturing
  • support sustained growth in the health social care sector

Collaborative Apprenticeships is managed by the West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges and funded by the European Social Fund (ESF).

Courses available
  • Step into Apprenticeships – with Digital
  • Aspire to Code
  • Essential Information Assurance Skills
  • Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Climate Change and Environmental Awareness
  • Level 2 Award in First Aid for Mental Health
  • Level 3 Award in Supervising First Aid for Mental Health
  • Digital Marketing; Metrics and Analytics
  • Pre-Apprenticeship Induction for Health and Care
  • Digital Marketing; Metrics and Analytics
  • Aspire to Networking
  • Pre-Apprenticeship Health and Social Care (Winter Response)
  • CCNA 1 (CISCO)
  • Digital Skills For Work
  • Essentials Spreadsheet Skills
  • Managing Apprentices – Communication methods for mentors

View all Collaborative Apprenticeship Courses here

Collaborative Apprenticeships logoEuropean Union Social Fund logo

Level Up Your Education For Free

Previously known as the Lifetime Skills Guarantee, the Covid-19 pandemic has had an impact on all our lives, and it may have left you out of work or thinking of a complete career change. That’s where the National Skills Fund comes in.

If you are earning below £18,525, unemployed or don’t currently hold a Level 3 qualification (equivalent to A Levels), then you are eligible to study for free as an Adult learner. It means hundreds of courses are now available to study for free for those aged over 19 years old. So whether you’re looking to reskill or upskill, there’s never been a better opportunity.

Search over 400 free courses with Leeds City College