Skills Hub
As we continue to repair and grow our businesses, conversations around skills and the changing labour market have become increasingly more prominent, and as a result have become a critical topic in businesses’ agendas across the two counties.
Welcome to the Chamber Skills Hub
In this hub, you’ll be able to access a plethora of information around the topic of skills including, apprenticeship opportunities, T Levels and Traineeships, hiring from the EU, information on levy paying businesses and job matching. You’ll also find useful links to resources available across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Our Skills Hub is constantly being updated, so keep an eye out for new updates and information.
Local Skills Improvement Plans
In 2022, the government announced that employers must have a bigger say in skills provision, and as a result Local Skills Improvement Plans were created.
Every county in England has its own Local Skills Improvement Plan which will reflect the unique and specific needs of the employers within each county. Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce is leading on the LSIP for Worcestershire.
If you are a Worcestershire based employer, we invite you to play a part in this important project and help pave the way that training, and education is delivered within our county.
About the Programme
SkillsBoost is a funding programme designed to help organisations in Herefordshire and Worcestershire offset the costs of upskilling and training their workforce. Eligible businesses of any size can claim 50% of training costs, up to £6,000 per business and £1,500 per employee, for approved accredited and non-accredited courses. Please note that legally required training (such as Health & Safety) is not eligible.
The programme runs from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. Eligibility is based on both the business location and the employee’s place of work. Full details, including eligibility criteria and application steps, are available in the official programme guide. Please note funding has run out for all other districts in Worcestershire, EXCEPT Bromsgrove.
Apprenticeships
Are you looking to grow your team and develop a skilled, qualified and motivated workforce? Hiring an apprentice will enable you to grow your talent and expand your business.
What’s an apprenticeship and how does it work?
An apprenticeship is a job placement that is accompanied by an assessment and skills development programme. Apprenticeships allow individuals to earn a wage whilst undertaking a qualification and gaining valuable skills. Not only will they gain knowledge about a specific job role and industry, but they’ll also have the opportunity to practise their new skills in a real working environment. Not only can apprenticeships help boost the skills of your workforce, but they also help improve economic productivity across the two counties.
What are the benefits to my business?
Looking into apprenticeships is a great way to succession plan for your workforce as they can improve your employee satisfaction, reduce staff turnover and recruitments costs. Apprenticeships are used to create productivity and are an effective way of developing a skilled and qualified team of professionals. According to Worcestershire Apprenticeships “Employers who have an established apprenticeship programme reported that productivity in their workplace had improved by 76% whilst 75% reported that apprenticeships improved the quality of their product or service.”
The latest skills reports and courses
Bringing you the latest skills reports, insights, and training courses to support workforce development and business growth.
Training Guide
Finding the right training in Worcestershire can be time-consuming. The Worcestershire Growth Hub’s Training Brochure brings together local providers, courses, and support in one easy-to-use online guide, making it quicker for businesses to access training and grow.
Chamber Training
All Chamber Training courses and bespoke solutions are delivered by highly qualified trainers and consultants to the highest professional standards. The Chamber Training team is known for going the extra mile, ensuring every client and delegate receives exceptional service.
Boosting Skills
To grow the economy, the UK needs a skilled and engaged workforce. However, record job vacancies and ongoing skills mismatches have made it increasingly difficult for employers to recruit the right people, restricting their ability to fulfil orders, take on new work, and operate profitably.
T Levels
What's involved?
T Levels are two-year courses taken after GCSEs, equivalent to three A Levels. Launched in 2020 and developed with employers, they combine classroom learning with industry-relevant skills to prepare students for skilled employment, apprenticeships, or further study.
Each course includes a substantial industry placement of at least 315 hours (around 45 days), with around 80% classroom learning and 20% time spent with an employer.
T Levels are offered by selected colleges, schools, and independent training providers across England. Course availability varies as providers focus on areas aligned with their strengths. Employers are not required to pay students during placements, though many choose to do so to support future recruitment.
Patron & Strategic Skills Providers
University of Worcester
The Development Manager
Kidderminster College
Make Strides
Halesowen College
Hoople Group
Heart of Worcestershire College
New Model Institute For Technology and Engineering (NMiTE)
Herefordshire, Ludlow & North Shropshire College
GLP Training
Make Strides – a digital-first learning and development company
Make Strides is helping people and organisations grow with purpose, clarity, and confidence. We specialise in early careers and leadership development, offering bite-size, engaging and accredited digital programmes supported by peer coaching and real-world application.
We understand the pressures our clients face. The challenge of retaining talent, developing future leaders and building high-performing teams, without overloading already stretched managers or budgets.
Worcestershire Growth Hub
The Worcestershire Growth Hub connects local businesses with the support available.
We help organisations of any size or sector to navigate the business support available. We work with local, regional and national partners across education, business growth, innovation and more, to ensure that local businesses can utilise the opportunities for growth.
Find out how your business could be supported.
Herefordshire Growth Hub
The Herefordshire Growth Hub provides support to businesses of all sizes and across all sectors in the county.
Our team offers free, impartial information and guidance on business grants, loans, support and other opportunities to help your business succeed.
The Herefordshire Growth Hub works across the county. We are open Monday to Friday with appointments available from 9:30am to 3:30pm every day.
Marches Growth Hub
The Marches Growth Hub offers a single point of access to information and guidance on business grants, loans, support and advice available to enterprises across the region, regardless of sector or size of development.
The Marches Growth Hub virtual hub is a business-friendly website, where start-ups, SMEs and large employers can search for products and services and be signposted to advice and support.
Become a Chamber Member!
Contact our Chamber Membership team to find out how we can help your business.