evon has a skilled workforce with higher-than-average qualifications, but lower than average earnings. The county has higher levels of rural deprivation than the national average, particularly in parts of northern and western Devon, together with pockets of more severe deprivation in some urban areas.
The economy, enterprise and skills teams’ work includes supporting people to improve their key skills gaps and helping to tackle labour market shortages.
There are shortages of people to fill vacancies in sectors such as healthcare, tourism and high value manufacturing and engineering. Almost 2,000 care roles, 1,000 nursing roles and 1,000 engineering roles alone were advertised in Devon in the past year.
Attracting and maintaining a workforce in some of our key sectors is a challenge for a variety of reasons including availability and affordability of housing, wage levels and career opportunities.
Train4Tomorrow Skills Bootcamps
The July 2024 Train4Tomorrow Skills Bootcamps provide 2,000 places available for adults across Devon and Cornwall who want to upskill, change careers or explore new opportunities. Devon County Council and Cornwall Council are responding to the need for skilled people in sectors such as childcare, hospitality, healthcare and renewable energy.
Skills Bootcamps in Early Years are available, with 120 places available to fast-track individuals wanting to work in this sector and progress onto an accelerated level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeships. These Skills Bootcamps will support the growing demand for childcare provision.
The tutor-led Skills Bootcamps are flexible courses lasting from 2 to16 weeks, giving adults (aged 19+) the opportunity to build in-demand skills. The programme focusses on filling skills gaps within the local economy, with input from employers into the design and implementation to ensure all training aligns to their specific skills need.
Economy, Enterprise and Skills: Improvement priorities 2024/25
- Establish the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority and Team Devon Joint Committee.
- Improve the careers and employment outcomes for young people including care experienced through re-designing the Council’s careers and employment service with a focus on places with high levels of youth unemployment and those not in education, employment or training.
- Working in partnership with business and other stakeholders, influence and respond to new policies, funding opportunities and priorities set by the next government to improve economic prosperity, skills levels, housing and productivity across our communities.