We are proud to announce that Oaklands has been awarded a £1.7 million contract to deliver Skills Bootcamps across Hertfordshire - a transformative step in our mission to equip the local workforce with the future-ready skills that employers need most. This investment confirms our position as the largest provider of Skills Bootcamps in Hertfordshire, and reflects our deep commitment to supporting learners, businesses, and the wider regional economy.
Skills Bootcamps are flexible, government-funded training programmes designed to help adults aged 19 and over gain in-demand skills linked to real job opportunities. They’re open to people who are currently unemployed or looking to move into a new sector, as well as those already in work who want to upskill or progress in their careers. Lasting up to 16 weeks, each Bootcamp is built around employer needs and includes a guaranteed job interview at the end - offering a direct pathway into sustainable employment or career development.
Oaklands is committed to meeting Hertfordshire’s evolving economic needs, and our Skills Bootcamps have been developed in close collaboration with local employers to ensure real-world relevance. The programmes now include green sectors including training in land management and arboriculture, tree planting and aftercare, and ground and estates maintenance. Our construction-focused Bootcamps include pathways into civil labouring, site supervision, and de-vegetation work, including targeted delivery for learners within HMP settings as part of our commitment to inclusive access to skills.
We are also delivering training in air source heat pump installation, supporting the region’s transition to low-carbon energy systems, and offering essential leadership and management programmes at both Level 3 and Level 5 - helping team leaders and middle managers build confidence and capability in their roles. In the digital space, learners can build expertise in areas such as digital marketing and data engineering, which are in increasing demand across virtually every industry. Our offer also includes pathways into health and social care careers and customer delivery operations, while those interested in community and education roles can access Bootcamps in sports coaching or take the first steps toward becoming a registered childminder.
Courses are flexible and delivered through a combination of face-to-face, online, or blended delivery, giving learners the ability to train in a way that fits around work, family, and other commitments.
Employers benefit from our Skills Bootcamps, with opportunities to co-design training that reflects their workforce needs and to upskill existing staff at reduced cost - up to 90% funded for SMEs and 70% for larger organisations. This partnership approach ensures that the local economy benefits from a pipeline of skilled, job-ready individuals, while also strengthening retention and progression within businesses themselves.
To be eligible for a Skills Bootcamp with Oaklands, learners must be aged 19 or over, live or work in Hertfordshire, have the right to work in the UK, and possess a good standard of English and Maths.
Oaklands is committed to delivering high-quality, career-focused education and training. By expanding access to essential skills across growing sectors, we are not only opening doors for individuals, we are helping to shape a more skilled, resilient and prosperous Hertfordshire.
For more information or to get involved, visit www.oaklands.ac.uk/skillsbootcamps or contact us directly at skillsbootcamps@oaklands.ac.uk.
