Bespoke Skills Bootcamp gets new employees up to speed

Bespoke Skills Bootcamp gets new employees up to speed

The Combined Authority has worked with Anglian Water’s @one Alliance and ARU Peterborough, the city’s new university, to set up an innovative Skills Bootcamp for new employees to quickly gain the skills they need for their roles.

When Anglian Water’s @one Alliance recently recruited 17 employees, it wanted to provide them with an initial 12-week programme of tailored training which would allow them to hit the ground running in their new roles.

Working with the Combined Authority and ARU Peterborough, a Skills Bootcamp focused on project delivery was established, offering the opportunity to learn about project planning, project management, CAD, commercial awareness, and the different roles available within project delivery. As well as the 17 new hires, one existing staff member was also enrolled on the Skills Bootcamp.

ARU Peterborough delivered theory-based skills, while the Anglian Water @one Alliance learning and development team and staff delivered practical elements to put into practice the theory. The @one Alliance is a partnership of eight companies, including in construction and engineering, set up to deliver major capital projects for Anglian Water.

The group had the opportunity to shadow existing staff during the 12 weeks, and on completion, Anglian Water’s @one Alliance will offer a permanent contract within two project-based roles in the business, project coordinator and trainee planner.

Since September 2021 the Combined Authority has been funding and managing innovative Skills Bootcamps across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, helping to upskill people in the region.

The courses offered have included everything from electric vehicle maintenance, marketing, engineering, leadership skills, construction skills, and data analysis. The Combined Authority works with a variety of colleges, universities and training providers to ensure high quality learning is provided.

Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Dr Nik Johnson, said: “We want to foster a world leading skills system in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, bringing employers, learners and the education and training sector closer together. This is a great example of that put into practice through these very effective Skills Bootcamps.”

Simona Pitchford, Learning & Development Lead, Anglian Water’s @one Alliance said: “Working with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority alongside ARU Peterborough has given us the ability to deliver our Training Schools to the highest level possible ensuring the best training for our new employees while maximising their value to the @one Alliance as they become an integral part of our £2.6bn delivery strategy.”

Dr Tom Williamson, ARU Peterborough Assistant Principal, said: “ARU Peterborough’s focus is to deliver the key skills that are required by businesses and organisations right across the region.

“In addition to teaching on our degree courses, we’re delighted our academics are providing their expertise and skills to businesses of all sizes, ranging from thousands of microbusinesses on the Small & Mighty Programme, to large organisations such as Anglian Water @one Alliance through this Skills Bootcamp. Supporting the creation of new highly skilled roles across the city and region is something we are extremely proud of.”

To register interest in Skills Bootcamps, either as an individual or an employer, visit: https://cambridgeshirepeterborough-ca.gov.uk/what-we-deliver/skills/skills-bootcamps/