NEARLY 160,000 adults have signed up for educational training in the region during the past two years to help them into jobs, new figures show.

The news is welcomed by West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin, who says that since her election she has invested £198 million of devolved funds to launch a range of courses aimed at boosting skills and opportunities for people to get into well-paid employment.

"I want everyone in the region to have the chance to unleash their potential – and it’s working," she says.

"Devolution has given us the freedom to invest in what’s best for our region and support people into real jobs, which simply wouldn’t be possible from Whitehall.

"We know that learning and qualifications help people to access better-paid jobs, and this is supporting families during a cost-of-living crisis as we work to build a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire.

"It is also supporting the region's labour market and wider economy, creating a greater pool of skilled workers for businesses to recruit from."

Funding has included £2.5 million of investment into a telecoms engineer training programme, to help address a skills shortage in the sector.

Since the scheme was launched in 2021, more than 1,200 trainees have qualified. And through a collaboration with businesses, 80 per cent have progressed directly into employment.

Ms Brabin and Councillor James Lewis – chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority's business, economy and innovation committee – have visited an all-female cohort of would-be telecoms engineers who've just started their training.

Cllr Lewis says: "Access to training that rewards people with good, well-paid jobs should be available to all.

"Working with businesses, we’re tailoring courses to fill vital roles in the local labour market, and highlighting the importance of a happy, skilled and diverse workforce.

"Devolution has already allowed us to upskill and retrain thousands of adults, and greater devolved powers would give us the opportunity to achieve so much more."

He adds: "Our visit to meet trainee telecoms engineers also launched our regional aim to deliver the ‘prosperous’ mission of the West Yorkshire Plan, which is designed to equip people with the skills they need to secure good jobs and help businesses and communities to thrive.

"The collaborative West Yorkshire Plan sets out five missions to boost the region’s progress on jobs, housing, transport, climate and crime."

For further information about adult education opportunities in the region, visit FutureGoals.co.uk