The Berkshire Skills Bootcamps Impact Report 2024–25 showcases the measurable difference employer‑led, short‑course training is making across the county.
Delivered as part of the Department for Education’s Skills for Life initiative and informed by Berkshire’s Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), Skills Bootcamps respond directly to labour market demand — helping residents gain in‑demand skills while supporting employers to address critical workforce gaps. This report captures the outcomes achieved between April 2024 and September 2025, highlighting learner progression, employer investment and the wider economic impact across Berkshire’s six local authorities.
Click to view our Impact Report flipbook.
Supporting Berkshire’s priority sectors and future skills
Berkshire Skills Bootcamps form a central component of the region’s response to labour market demand and workforce development challenges. Delivered as part of the Department for Education’s Skills for Life initiative, the programme is designed to address regional skills gaps, enhance employability, and support economic growth through flexible, employer-led training.
Informed by the Local Skills Improvement Plan (2023), Berkshire Skills Bootcamps aimed to provide training opportunities and career support to bridge regional skills gap ensuring programmes were aligned with employer priorities and regional growth sectors.
Key highlights from 2024-2025:
During the 2024/25 funding year, Berkshire exceeded the Department for Education’s targets for Skills Bootcamp outcomes. The Department for Education required at least 80% of enrolled learners to achieve a positive progression outcome upon completion of the Skills Bootcamp, such as a job interview, offer of increased responsibilities at work, or – for self-employed participants – an action plan to grow their business. Berkshire surpassed this requirement and achieved 101% against the target required. For those who achieved these progression opportunities, the Department for Education set a target that 75% of those learners should secure a job outcome or new clients and contracts. Against this target, Berkshire achieved 105% against the target number, also exceeding the target set.
Skills Bootcamps played a key role in addressing Berkshire’s skills Gaps in the following sectors:
- Sustainability
- Engineering
- Construction
- Digital Marketing
- Data Analytics
- Leadership & management
- Education and Early Years
Employer engagement remained a defining strength, with businesses actively co‑designing curriculum, supporting workforce upskilling and recruiting directly from Skills Bootcamp graduates—helping to reduce skills shortages, recruitment costs and time to productivity. The programme supported a diverse range of participants, including unemployed residents, career‑changers, returners and the self‑employed, demonstrating particular strength in supporting those furthest from the labour market into sustainable opportunities.
Across Berkshire, Skills Bootcamps programmes supported progression into higher‑value roles, salary growth and new contracts for local businesses. This impact strengthened workforce resilience and demonstrated the role of Skills Bootcamps in boosting earning power, employer confidence and long‑term economic growth.
As Programme Manager, I take great pride in reviewing the impact our Skills Bootcamps deliver for Berkshire residents and employers. These employer‑led programmes play a critical role in addressing key skills gaps across the region, strengthening our workforce and driving growth within the local economy. It is a pleasure to work with our Delivery Partners across Berkshire as we continue to deliver this programme, and I am pleased to be able to share our Wave 5 Skills Bootcamps (Funding Year 24–25) Impact Report with you.
— Claire Bradbury, Programme Manager, Skills Bootcamps
Looking ahead: Skills Bootcamps from April 2026
Demand for skilled workers across Berkshire continues to grow — and Skills Bootcamps remain a vital part of the solution.
The next wave of Berkshire Skills Bootcamps launches in April 2026, building on the success, partnerships and learning from 2024–25. The upcoming programme will continue to focus on:
* Employer‑led course design
* Priority and growth sectors
* Clear routes into employment and progression
* Supporting both new entrants and existing workforce
There will be fresh opportunities for learners and employers to get involved.
Find out more about upcoming Skills Bootcamps launching in April 2026 here.
Click to read the full Impact Report 2024-25 for detailed analysis, case studies and local authority insights.
