Small and medium-sized businesses in Rutland are being urged to take advantage of a £3.7m training fund to upskill their workforce.

The Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW) programme offers businesses funded training, tailored to their specific needs.

Training is flexible and businesses can select full qualifications or mix and match individual units that are directly relevant to their work.

Training is delivered by public services provider Serco, alongside the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and Business Board.

Launched in April, the programme focuses on upskilling employees in key priority sectors:

Agriculture and Food

Advanced Manufacturing

Life Sciences

Logistics

IT and Digital

Health and Social Care

Construction

Eligible businesses can benefit from tailored training analysis to identify any skills gaps in their workforce.

The SSW programme also offers support and training for individuals at risk of redundancy or those who have been made redundant within the last three months.

Coun Oliver Hemsley, Leader of Rutland County Council, said: "The funding is hugely positive news for businesses in our area.

"We know businesses that have taken part in the programme previously have reported benefitting from increased employee confidence, motivation, productivity and retention.

"On a wider scale, the funding has the potential to help local businesses grow and boost the Rutland economy, as well as improving the job prospects for people living here.

"If you're an SME in Rutland, we'd urge you to find out more and check to see if you're eligible."

Coun John Holdich, chairman of the Combined Authority's Skills Committee, said: "To make the most of this new funding, it is essential that it is targeted at key business sectors in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough economy and broader LEP area, which have an identified need for more skills.

"The benefits are clearly two-fold. For employees, upskilling can increase pay, improve job security, open up more career options and lead to greater job satisfaction and fulfilment. For employers, tackling the skills gap increases productivity, competitiveness, delivers a more motivated workforce, and ultimately improves the bottom line."

Businesses can contact Serco at [email protected] or visit the website by clicking on the red button below for more details and to find out if they are eligible for funded training through SSW.