The Skills Innovation Fund is a £2,375,000 grant fund to support skills development in the York and North Yorkshire region over a timeframe of two years, ending in March 2027.
Following a call for projects earlier this year, this fund is now closed for applications. We thank all those who submitted proposals and showed interest in supporting the region’s skills development. A total of 40 applications were received.
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Key Outcomes
We would like to achieve the following key outcomes through this funding:
- Increased numbers of new tutors trained in industry related skills
- Increased numbers of adult learners engaged in training in priority sectors focussing on disengaged learners and those who need upskilling and reskilling
- Improved teaching facilities
- New flexible courses developed (bitesize/modular/outreach)
- Enhanced capacity and collaboration in the York and North Yorkshire skills provider base
- A strong network of industry relevant training facilities and tutors across York and North Yorkshire, responsive to the needs of learners and businesses
Programmes Receiving Funding
Three Skills Innovation Fund programmes were announced in May 2025. These will support more than 1,000 learners and tutors.
- A partnership of all the further education colleges delivering in York and North Yorkshire, including Askham Bryan College, Craven College, Harrogate College, Selby College, Darlington College, Scarborough TEC and York College, and the adult learning services in North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council will work together to ensure that people and businesses across the whole area benefit from this funding.
The programme will focus on skills supporting digital and low carbon jobs, introducing new courses for learners, upskilling tutors and investing in new equipment and infrastructure. Work will also help remove barriers to learning, particularly for rural communities and vulnerable groups. They are aiming to support 420 learners and 150 tutors, delivering 15 courses, and make improvements to seven teaching facilities. - Not-for-profit organisation Better Connect, leading a programme delivered by more than 30 organisations. Their work will focus on learners who are disengaged from education. Their approach weaves numeracy, literacy, digital and independent living skills into creative activities that aim to inspire lifelong learning. The programme aims to develop and deliver 50 courses, training 120 disengaged learners in priority sectors.
- University of York and York Creatives. A programme called Extending XR which seeks to provide creative technology skills training across the region for learners and tutors and develop a forum to strengthen local ties in the region’s creative sector. The programme aims to support 338 learners and 20 tutors, delivering at least 20 courses.
Further Information
You can read a copy of the original Skills Innovation Fund prospectus here, which includes a foreword by Mayor David Skaith.
Timeline
