Northampton College has launched a new programme of employer-backed Skills Bootcamps designed to help address skills shortages across Northamptonshire’s construction sector.

Funded by West Northamptonshire Council, the initiative will run until March 2027 and offers adults aged 19 and over intensive training in areas including construction, green skills, welding, warehousing and scaffolding, with the aim of helping participants move into employment or apprenticeships.

The programme was officially launched at the college’s Booth Lane campus, where employers, industry representatives and education partners discussed the challenges facing the construction industry and the need to strengthen the county’s future workforce.

Courses include Entry to Construction, incorporating CSCS Green Cards, Green Skills, Welding for Construction, ESOL in Warehousing and an Entry into Scaffolding programme delivered in partnership with SIMIAN Risk.

Guests also toured the college’s construction, engineering and logistics facilities before taking part in a discussion on how closer collaboration between employers and education providers can improve career opportunities and help businesses recruit skilled staff.

Joanne Philpott, deputy principal for curriculum, quality and success at Northampton College, said skills shortages remained one of the biggest challenges facing the industry.

She said: “Our Skills Bootcamps have been developed in direct response to employer demand, providing flexible, targeted training that gives adults the skills businesses are looking for while creating clear routes into employment and apprenticeships.

“We are committed to working closely with industry to ensure our learners are equipped not only with technical knowledge but also with the confidence and workplace experience needed to succeed.”

Industry speakers at the launch included Simon Hughes, chief executive of SIMIAN Risk, Lisa Devayya from West Northamptonshire Council and Ben Ekins of Midlands Scaffolding Services, alongside representatives from Delapré Abbey, the National Construction Training and Education Centre and FormFive.

The college said the bootcamps would also give employers the opportunity to influence future training provision while helping to develop a pipeline of skilled workers for the region’s construction industry.

Further information about Northampton College courses is available at www.northamptoncollege.ac.uk.