Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) 

LSIPs provide an agreed set of actionable priorities that employers, providers and other stakeholders in a local area can get behind to drive change.

LSIPs:

• Place employers at the heart of local skills systems.
• Facilitate direct and dynamic working arrangements between employers, providers and local stakeholders.
• Help learners gain the skills they need to get good jobs and increase their prospects.

We will use labour market intelligence, employer insight and LSIP evidence to shape provision, reduce unnecessary duplication, maximise progression opportunities and respond proactively to emerging economic priorities. Through a coordinated and place-based approach, CWA will contribute to a coherent skills system that supports productivity, social mobility and sustainable economic growth across Norfolk, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and the wider region.

Refreshed Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) to power Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s growth over next three years - Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce

Norfolk and Suffolk LSIP

College of West Anglia are proud to support the military community. As a college, we support and recognise the benefits the armed forces bring to the college and we aim to do all we can to support staff and students from this community. We have many staff and students who come from, or have strong links with, the armed forces and we do all we can to establish and build on these links. We are also proud supporters of the Armed Forces Covenant.

The college is situated just 14 miles from RAF Marham (a tri-service base home to the F35 Lightning - a fifth generation, multi role, stealth fighter in the UK) and 27 miles from Robertson Barracks, the home of 1^st The Queen's Dragoon Guards (The Welsh Cavalry).

We offer our support to armed forces personnel, veterans, reservists and their families by providing high quality courses across our campuses; King’s Lynn, Wisbech and Cambridge.

We recognise that the military community have many unique skills, which can be transferrable to other industries. We offer courses that can build upon your skills and make them transferrable to new careers, or you can retrain into new industries.

Find out more below or get in contact for more information.

• Armed Forces Families

  Military families hold a valuable role in supporting the armed forces personnel. However, we understand that this role can come with issues when it comes to employment and education.

  We offer a wide variety of full-time courses, that are aimed at 16-year-old school leavers. Alongside studies, the college has an expert Wellbeing Team who will support you during your time at college.

  For Adults, we offer many part-time courses at our King’s Lynn, Wisbech and Cambridge campuses. These courses can help you gain new skills or develop your current skills.

• Serving Personnel

  If you are looking to take part in professional development whilst serving or preparing to leave the services, we offer many courses which will suit your needs.

  The College of West Anglia hold ELC approved learning provider status under the Armed Forces Enhances Learning Credits Administration Scheme (ELC). Find out more about the courses available and how to apply for the funding here.

  We have an experienced Career Team who can offer support and guidance to help you make informed choices about your future.

• Resettlement

  The transition from military to civilian life can be difficult. At the College of West Anglia, we have the support in place to make this transition that little bit easier. Your skills, knowledge and experience will be unique and we can help you to use these and transfer them into a new career.

  There are many funding options for courses available and we hold ELC approved learning provider status under the Armed Forces Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Service (ELCAC) scheme.

  We have an experienced Career Team who can offer support and guidance to help you make informed choices about your future. Contact the college to be connected to the faculty for more information.

  Alongside your studies, we have an expert Wellbeing Team who will support you during your time with us, should you need it.

• Defence Employer Recognition Scheme

  The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. The scheme encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards for organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.

  College of West Anglia has been awarded a Gold Award. We were the first Further Education College to achieve this level of award and are keen to show our continued commitment to those who have served and members of the community.

  Gold award holders:

  • must have signed the Armed Forces Covenant.  
  • employers must have an existing relationship with their National Account Manager/Regional Employer Engagement Director/appropriate defence representative
  • the employer must already be accredited as a holder of ERS Silver Award and held it with sufficient time to develop suitable plans and policies and evidence to support the ERS Gold application
  • the employer must proactively demonstrate their forces-friendly credentials as part of their recruiting and selection processes. Where possible, they should be engaged with Career Transition Partnership (CTP) in the recruitment of service leavers and have registered for the Forces Families Jobs (FFJ) portal
  • the employer must actively ensure that their workforce is aware of their positive policies towards defence people issues. For example, an employer nominated for support to the Reserves must have an internally publicised and positive human resources policy on Reserves
  • the employer must be an exemplar within their market sector, advocating support to defence people issues to partner organisations, suppliers and customers with tangible positive results
  • within the context of Reserves the employer must have demonstrated support to mobilisations or have a framework in place. They must provide at least 10 days’ additional leave for training, fully paid, to the Reservist employee
  • the employer must actively encourage a positive environment for Reservists by ensuring that positive policies in support of Reservists within the workforce are communicated to line managers
  • the employer must not have been the subject of any negative public relations or media activity
  • the employer should be an exemplar in demonstrating support to the Cadet movement. This could, for example, be through mentoring cadets in key employment skills, by providing guaranteed interviews for cadets, by direct investment in equipment and infrastructure for a local cadet unit, or by funding and sponsoring competitions, events, and specific activities for cadets such as overseas expeditions
  • the employer promotes volunteering with the cadet forces from their workforce, by providing additional leave for employees who are Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs)

                                                               

Read more: School of Nursing Studies

CWA is working in collaboration with other further education providers in the region, as part of the Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIP) for the Norfolk & Suffolk Chambers of Commerce and the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority. The respective Local Skills Improvement Funds (LSIF) support this collaboration.

Green Futures, Norfolk & Suffolk

CWA's Green Skills Investments

• Green Skills Academy, Wisbech Campus

  State-of-the-art facilities

  

  The Green Skills Academy, is a cutting-edge facility representing a combined investment of £4.2 million, with £2 million from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authorities recycled Local Growth Fund money, £2 million from Anglian Water and their alliance partners, and £200,000 from the College of West Anglia. The building has been designed to deliver specialist training in sustainability, environmental technology and green focused trade skills; sectors identified as critical for Fenland’s economic growth and future employment. 

  Read more:
  CWA partners with Anglian Water and CPCA to fund new Green Skills Academy

  Carbon Net Zero Training Centre to deliver hundreds of green skills opportunities

  Green Skills Academy opens in Wisbech

• Green Skills Centre, King's Lynn campus

  Green Skills, with Digital and Soft Skills

  Our Green Skills Centre at our King’s Lynn campus, is a multi-use technology skills centre with equipment and training to support teaching in:

  • Thermal Imagery
  • Green Energy
  • Motor Vehicle
  • Science.

  

  As well as courses dedicated to green skills and sustainability, this investment and expertise forms part of courses in areas such as construction, motor vehicle and science.

  Read more:
  Educational partnership between Norfolk and Suffolk looks to solve the region's digital skills gap

• Darwin Building, Cambridge campus

  Enhancing animal care education

  The Darwin Building at our Cambridge campus, is a new Biosciences Centre that provides scope for the delivery of science and animal focused skills courses, with equipment and training to support teaching and learning. The facility, funded through a grant from the Local Skills Improvement Fund, is expected to play a key role in supporting CWA’s ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality education that meets the needs of employers and the wider community.

  

  Read More:
  College of West Anglia celebrates openin of Darwin building at Cambridge campus

Green Skills and Environmental Sustainability Courses

If you are looking to expand your thinking and broaden your skills and knowledge in Sustainability and Green Skills then The College of West Anglia is the place for you. Our brand-new sustainability courses are perfect for individuals who are seeking to learn more about being carbon neutral, working towards achieving net-zero and how to increase sustainability in a variety of areas.

• ISEP Environmetal Sustainability Skills courses for managers and the workforce

  CWA is a training partner of ISEP (Institute of Sustainability & Environmental Professionals) and we offer environmental and sustainability skills training for managers and employees in any business sector.
  Discover more about each course:
  ISEP ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY SKILLS FOR MANAGERS
  
  ISEP Environmental Sustainability Skills for the WorkforceISEP Foundation Certificate in Sustainability and Environmental Management
  
   If you are an employer and would like to provide this training to a group of staff, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to arrange training at your premises.

  

    

• Skills Bootcamps

  

  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Green Skills & Sustainability Courses

  The drive towards sustainability and the desire for Green Skills across many sectors has opened up new professional avenues to explore. We have created a selection of part time course in Green Skills, sustainability, and Low Carbon technology to help develop education in these areas and create a new understanding of what a sustainable future may bring. Our options cover both short and long term courses and will be covering areas such as plumbing, automotive technology, renewable energy and sustainability management with more options to follow in the near future.

  KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL OUR GREEN SKILLS COURSES

   

  KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL OUR ATC COURSES

Sign up to Receive all Green Skills and Sustainability Updates  

By working together with our partners, we are able to:

• enhance the opportunities available to young people
• fill gaps in niche or expert provision, or provide better access to training facilities
• support better geographical access for learners
• offer an entry point for disadvantaged groups
• consider the impact on individuals who share protected characteristics.

For further information on how each individual partner meets any of the above criteria, click here.

Action Community Enterprises

ACE specialise in delivering education and training young people, aged 16-18, who may need a little more support to succeed.

Family Action

Family Action are a registered charity, who deliver Level 1 and Level 2 Horticulture courses.

Pilot IMS

Pilot IMS are a welfare and skills provider who support those people from a range of backgrounds within our local communities to help them progress closer to the labour market, as well as supporting employers with their workforce development. We are matrix accredited, and are an Ofsted grade 2 provider with Outstanding for Adult Education, which is testament to the quality provision we provide. We aim to improve the life chances of our clients by offering end to end skills and welfare support for sustained employment and wellbeing. They will be providing King’s Trust Team Programme through college. To find out more, click here.