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HEALTH & INCLUSION

The government recognises the close interconnection between health and skills, seeking to improve both through initiatives such as the Get Britain Working White Paper, the NHS Long Term Plan, and the establishment of Skills England, with a focus on reducing economic inactivity, supporting workforce development, and addressing skills gaps. 

Plymouth has a strong focus on health and inclusion, aiming not only to meet the significant skills needs across the sector but also to directly tackle health inequalities across the city.

The health and social care sector is the single largest employment sector in the city with 24,000 jobs and a GVA of £721.4m (14.8% of the city GVA) across both traditional public sector services and extensive private and third sector employers.

The city has the largest specialist teaching hospital in the South West peninsula and the region’s major trauma centre employing over 11,000 staff and volunteers, alongside an additional 9,000 roles/staff within the associated social care sector.

24.4% of the working population are economically inactive in the city (41,000 people) as compared to a national figure of 21% of which a third are excluded due to illness – making health outcomes a major issue for the city.

The city also has a significant need for additional SEND provision with places required to meet the increased volumes of learners with SEND seen across Plymouth schools. Current demand for provision at the College has seen over 800 students with SEND and EHCPs enrol in 2025. 

Deprivation across the city persists with recent IMD2025 data showing three wards amongst the most deprived nationally, and persistent issues with education, health and employment.

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Target: To increase opportunities, reduce inequalities, improve health and wellbeing, and enhance social cohesion, we will develop an essential skills offer that supports individuals facing challenges with their health and wellbeing – delivering wider benefits for health services, the economy, and people’s personal lives. Transitioning from Shared Prosperity Funding to mainstream Adult Skills Fund (ASF) provision, we will support over 300 learners through these programmes in 2026/27.

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Get in touch

Main Campus
City College Plymouth

Kings Road, Devonport, Plymouth, PL1 5QG

Give us a call on: 01752 305300

E-mail us at: info@cityplym.ac.uk