We are looking for partners to deliver five skills and employment programmes as part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) programme.

The funding, totalling £700,000, will be used to deliver ‘People & Skills’ interventions which upskill and provide training to local people with the aim of helping them to enter employment. It will also help people who are employed to acquire advanced skills that can enable them to progress into better paid and more sustainable jobs.

There are five separate opportunities that organisations can apply for:

• Enabling those furthest from the labour market into employment
• Supporting those not in employment, education or training
• Support for upskilling those already in employment
• Enhancing digital skills
• Enhancing green skills

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the government's Levelling Up agenda. Last year, we were allocated £1.76 million of UKSPF funding to support local businesses, boost opportunities for local people and create spaces for communities to enjoy.

Councillor Chris Lewis, Cabinet Member for Place Services and Economic Growth for Torbay Council, said: ‘‘Working alongside partner organisations, we look forward to offering tailored support and training which can help Torbay residents to secure good employment and realise their full potential. This will not only help individuals to succeed but will also benefit the wider community and strengthen the local economy.’’

Funding applications are now live and will close on 2 February 2024. Programmes are expected to start in April 2024 and run until the end March 2025 if not later. Applications must be made through the pre-contract portal. 

TDA is managing Torbay’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan on behalf of Torbay Council, overseeing procurement, allocating funding and managing the contracts to those organisations delivering the projects. Find out more about Torbay’s UKSPF programme.