City College Plymouth’s Skills Builder project, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, continues to make a significant impact on individuals and the local economy. This transformative programme has not only exceeded key targets but has also demonstrated the positive impact of tailored skills development and workforce training.
Since its launch, Skills Builder has supported 180 participants, with 142 individuals who were socially excluded. It has also enabled 158 participants to access basic skills and helped 112 to engage in job-searching activities.
Through strategic partnerships with local employers in the city, the programme has empowered participants to reach meaningful milestones and better understand employer expectations to get them ready for the workplace. Livewell Southwest has supported 21 people by offering work experience, career guidance, and shadowing opportunities across the healthcare field.
Meanwhile, Plymouth Argyle Community Trust has successfully delivered a number of employability courses to help individuals build the skills needed to re-enter the workforce - particularly those facing long-term unemployment or health barriers. As a result, 106 participants have become more familiar with what employers expect, and over 95 have reported increased employability through these collaborative efforts.
Local community organisation Plymouth Active Leisure has also joined forces with the programme to tackle health and mobility barriers to employment. By providing gym and swim memberships, as well as personal training sessions, they help individuals across the city who see their health as an obstacle build both physical and mental resilience - an essential step toward achieving sustainable employment.
One standout moment of the programme was the Get Hired event, hosted in collaboration with Plymouth Argyle Community Trust. This innovative initiative featured “speed-dating” style interviews with local employers, providing participants with a safe and supportive environment to practice networking, improve interview techniques, and connect with potential employers in high-demand sectors. Participants shared that the event was a ‘game-changer’, with one participant, stating how “being able to meet these employers in a more relaxed environment really boosted my confidence and helped me hone my interviewing skills. I left feeling much more prepared and ready to start looking for work.”
Included in its commitment to community support, the Skills Builder programme also integrates a Level 3 Certificate in Social Prescribing. This certification empowers individuals by offering non-medical, personalised care pathways that connect them with community-based services to improve their health and wellbeing. In January 2025, a new cohort of students successfully graduated from the course, celebrating their achievements in a ceremony at the College.
Pauline Hands, Executive of Health, Leisure and Public Services at City College Plymouth, said:
"Through the Skills Builder programme, we have seen firsthand the transformative power of targeted skills development in breaking down barriers to employment and boosting confidence. Supporting these individuals, including those facing social exclusion, and helping participants actively engage in job-searching are achievements that align with our vision of learning without limits. These numbers reflect our commitment to transforming futures by creating clear pathways into meaningful employment and responding to the evolving needs of our community. This initiative represents lives changed, futures unlocked, and a stronger, more inclusive workforce that contributes to Plymouth's economic and social prosperity."
Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with many sharing how Skills Builder helped them overcome barriers to employment, build confidence, and develop practical, in-demand skills. Employers have also praised the programme for directly addressing workforce gaps in critical industries such as healthcare, digital, and construction.
“Our partnership with City College Plymouth, through the Skills Builder programme, has allowed us to successfully deliver essential digital skills to those who need them most,” said Jabo Butera, Managing Director of the Diversity Business Incubator. “At Jabulani Plymouth CIC in Stonehouse, we foster a supportive environment, built through shared meals, communal experiences, and a strong sense of community, where participants can grow both personally and professionally. By focusing on individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who face barriers to traditional employment, we ensure everyone has the opportunity to enhance their skills and be part of something bigger.”
City College Plymouth is making a real difference through its innovative Skills Builder programme. To learn more about the life-changing opportunities available, visit cityplym.ac.uk/skills-builder.