Hertfordshire Futures has secured its largest funding yet to continue delivering Skills Bootcamps across the county for a third consecutive year.

With more than 1,050 residents having already benefited from these programmes over the past two years, this additional investment will enable over 1,300 more learners to gain new skills that align with local employer needs, enhancing career opportunities and strengthening efforts to bridge the county’s skills gap.

This latest wave of bootcamps covers more than 50 skill areas, supporting key sectors such as; Film, TV and Creative; Engineering; Construction; Early Years; Green Careers; Retrofit; Events; Security; Innovation; and Business.

Claire Scarisbrick, Skills Delivery Manager, Hertfordshire Futures, said: "We are delighted to have secured this funding – our largest yet and a true validation of how our bootcamps are supporting people in their careers and changing lives.”

Skills Bootcamps are flexible, government-funded training programmes designed to help adults aged 19 and over gain in-demand skills linked to real job opportunities. They’re open to people who are currently unemployed or looking to move into a new sector, as well as those already in work who want to upskill or progress in their careers. Lasting up to 16 weeks, each Bootcamp is built around employer needs and includes a guaranteed job interview at the end - offering a direct pathway into sustainable employment or career development.

Oaklands - the county’s largest Skills Bootcamps training provider - has been awarded a £1.7 million delivery contract. Its offer includes green sector programmes such as land management and arboriculture, tree planting and aftercare, ground and estates maintenance, and air source heat pump installation alongside construction-focused bootcamps. Read more.

Claire said: "Oaklands is an exceptional training provider with extensive expertise and I am delighted that they are delivering Skills Bootcamps to address some of Hertfordshire's skills demands.  These Bootcamps will enable Hertfordshire residents to develop new skills, enhance their career prospects and support businesses with quality training and candidates.  I'm excited to see the positive impact and results they bring."

The supply chain of training providers includes: Estu, Unique Training Solutions, The Retrofit Academy, JGA Limited, The Academy of Live Technology, All Spring Media, HBXL Skills Academy, Realise, NGTC Group and Oaklands Training and Development.

Claire added: “We are also delighted that Step2Skills have chosen to support Skills Bootcamps delivery within this wave by providing a comprehensive programme to help residents launch careers in Early Years education or supported employment advice.”

The Hertfordshire Opportunities project has provided a further boost to businesses facing challenges in recruiting staff with relevant industry skills. Between October 2023 and the end of March 2025, the project—funded by eight districts through Government funding under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund—provided workforce development support to 473 businesses across the county, ranging from sole traders and self-employed professionals to SMEs and larger enterprises. Through this initiative, 1,500 employees gained awareness of educational programmes designed to help them enhance their skills and meet the businesses needs. As a result, 468 individuals successfully attained a licence, skill, or qualification, strengthening both their career prospects and their employers' workforce needs.

For details on the project, click here.