A community-focused initiative to tackle economic inactivity and build skills for a stronger Plymouth workforce has smashed its targets and is changing lives across the city.
Plymouth Skills Builder, a City College Plymouth programme supported by the City Council, is celebrating exceptional success one year on from its launch.
The project built essential foundations for future employment for those who took part, allowing participants to access basic skills training through City College Plymouth and Argyle Community Trust, demonstrating strong demand for fundamental skill-building among economically inactive individuals. Others received job-search support, and re-engaged with education through the initiative, a critical first step for those distanced from training and employment pathways.
In collaboration with key partners including Argyle Community Trust, Plymouth Active Leisure, Livewell Southwest and Achievement Training, the project has engaged 283 individuals, exceeding its target by 60 per cent. The majority of those reached were deemed ‘socially excluded’, demonstrating the project’s success in reaching those furthest from employment, education and traditional support.
As the project moves into its second year, Skills Builder will deepen its reach within the city’s most deprived communities, expand social prescribing training and evolve its sector taster offers to align even more closely with employer needs and community aspirations.
Funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and supported by Plymouth City Council, the initiative saw 43 people securing employment or self-employment, with a further 58 moving into education or training.
Social Prescribing graduates at a ceremony held at City College Plymouth
The project has also supported individuals in achieving meaningful milestones towards employment. 88 participants gained vocational licences, CSCS cards and social prescribing qualifications, opening up direct routes to key industries such as construction, health and social care.
Pauline Hands, Executive of Health, Leisure & Public Services at City College Plymouth, commented: “Skills Builder has demonstrated what can be achieved through truly collaborative working. By offering targeted, practical support that builds confidence as well as skills, the programme is transforming lives across our city, building lasting opportunities for individuals and strengthening Plymouth’s future workforce. The success of the first year not only demonstrates the strong demand for inclusive, community-based employment support, but also showcases the power of collaborative, local delivery models to tackle economic inactivity at scale.”
Wellbeing has been a vital component of the Skills Builder approach, recognising that barriers to employment are not solely skills-related. Over 43 individuals accessed mental and physical health support, delivered through our partners, creating a crucial foundation for personal resilience, confidence and sustained engagement with employment opportunities.
As part of its innovative delivery model, Plymouth Skills Builder also introduced sector-specific taster sessions in construction, digital, healthcare and business, enabling participants to build real-world skills and gain practical insight into potential career pathways. A major highlight was the partnership with Sherford Skills Training Centre, where individuals experienced live construction environments and gained their CSCS cards, a vital qualification in the sector.
Recognising the broader barriers to employment, the project also invested in innovative solutions such as a new employability clothes bank and confidence-building workshops for women re-entering the workforce. These interventions, alongside digital skills training delivered in community hubs such as The Plot in Stonehouse, have helped to address often-hidden barriers such as digital exclusion and self-confidence.
Photo caption: Representatives from City College Plymouth, Plymouth City Council in partnership with the YMCA Plymouth, and Real Ideas Organisation at the joint project launch event on 22 July 2024
