Skills Bootcamps in Surrey success story

Published January 16, 2025

Success stories

After nine years in retail, Claudia’s passion for the planet led her to sign up to a Sustainability Skills Bootcamp from Surrey County Council. The free fast-track training course equipped her with new skills which she’s used to land a great new job.

Claudia is one of hundreds of people in Surrey to take part in Skills Bootcamps in 2024.

She saw an Instagram ad from Surrey County Council for the government-funded training. This perfectly aligned with her sustainability interests and sparked her decision to enrol.

The Skills Bootcamps journey allowed Claudia to juggle full-time work and study with the support of the training providers at Activate Learning.

In just a few weeks she gained the skills she needed to land a great job in an area she’s really passionate about.

She said: “The instructors were fantastic, making complex topics accessible and engaging.”

Packed with practical learning

Practical exercises are seen as the biggest benefit of Skills Bootcamps from Surrey County Council.

These enabled real-world application straight back into the workplace. Learning about the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) was incredibly rewarding.

Completing the Skills Bootcamps in Surrey was a game-changer. Claudia’s new skills and knowledge impressed at interview, leading to a role in a new company with an active approach to sustainability.

The Skills Bootcamp has empowered Claudia with the expertise to make a significant impact in her career. She is now equipped to champion sustainable practices in her industry.

Claudia said: “I highly recommend the Surrey County Council Skills Bootcamp in Sustainability.

“This well-structured course provides a great balance of theory and practical application – making it easy to integrate sustainability principles into both personal and professional settings.

“The course offers valuable insight into the vast field of sustainability, helping you identify areas you may want to specialise in.

“For me, it was a fantastic addition to my skillset. And it played a key role in helping me secure a new job with a company that has sustainability at its core.

“This course truly allows you to demonstrate your commitment to this field. It is a great stepping stone for anyone looking to make a real impact!”

Discover more about Skills Bootcamps in Surrey

We – as part of Surrey County Council – offer Skills Bootcamps in sectors that are crucial to Surrey’s future economy.

Any Surrey resident aged 19 and over can register for a course.

To find out more about the courses on offer, delivered through our training providers, visit the Skills Bootcamps website.

Not sure if this is right for you? Or need some extra help? Get in touch with our team of experts via our online Get Support Now form.

Please note funding for the current round of courses runs until the end of March 2025. Therefore, some courses may now be unavailable or have reached capacity.

Decorative image promoting skills bootcamps

Surrey Festival of Skills 2024 inspires thousands of young people

Published January 1, 2025

Events

Thousands of young people in Surrey have been inspired and fired up about their futures thanks to the 2024 Surrey Festival of Skills.

From supercars to snakes, cooking masterclasses to computer game demonstrations, there were opportunities galore for students to explore at the Surrey County Council event.

More than 2,000 students aged 14 to 18 packed into Surrey Sports Park in Guildford. They could meet, great and connect with dozens of employers, universities, FE colleges and training providers.

The aim was to showcase the fantastic opportunities on offer to them in Surrey, both now and in the future.

Highlights included hairdressing masterclasses, samosa making, VR headsets and a McLaren supercar.

There were also animals aplenty – with snakes, stick insects and lizards joined by a horse-riding simulator and robotic dog.

Young people who attended the free event described it as “impactful”, “rewarding” and “fantastic”.

Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council, opened the event. He said: “Now in its second year, the Surrey Festival of Skills is a fantastic platform for organisations across the county to showcase the array of opportunities available to our young people.

“Surrey has a vibrant and diverse economy, built on foundations of innovation and collaboration. We’re committed to working with public and private partners to grow our economy further while delivering benefits to our communities.

“But we can only do this with a skilled and engaged workforce. That’s why it’s so important to showcase the brilliant careers and training available to students right here on their doorstep.”

What is the Surrey Festival of Skills?

The Surrey Festival of Skills is open to all young people in education aged 14 to 18. This is regardless of whether they are educated in school, college, at home or by any other educational route.

It is organised and funded by Surrey County Council, with support from the Association of Learning Providers Surrey (ALPS).

Sponsorship for the 2024 edition was provided by consumer health company Haleon and highways services provider Ringway.

More than 80 exhibitors took part representing a diverse range of industries. They included household names like Balfour Beatty, Siemens, McLaren, the Royal Navy and London Gatwick Airport.

Specialist sectors such as gaming, cyber security, osteopathy, adult social care and early years were also present.

All of Surrey’s further and higher education providers attended, along with a range of independent training providers.

Public sector careers were championed by the Animal & Plant Health Agency, National Highways, NHS, Surrey Police and Surrey Fire & Rescue.

“A day to remember”

Matt Furniss, the Council’s cabinet member for Highways, Transport and Economic growth, said: “Once again, the Surrey Festival of Skills has delivered a day to remember for everyone that took part.

“We know days like this can play a huge impact on the choices young people make when they leave school or college.

“I want to say a big thank you to all our exhibitors for once again supporting this fantastic event, especially our sponsors Haleon and Ringway. Thanks to their support, we can ensure this event remains free and accessible to thousands of young people across Surrey.”

Lewis Bridgman, Business Unit Manager at Ringway, said: “Ringway are committed to supporting local talent and building a brighter future for young people in our county. We believe in investing in skills and creating opportunities that pave the way for rewarding careers for a diversity of talent within the highways industry. Together we can build strong foundations for tomorrow’s workforce. Ringway are proud to have sponsored the 2024 Surrey Festival of Skills.”

Abeera Mohammad, STEM Lead at Haleon said: “Haleon are proud to have sponsored the Festival of Skills this year. As a world-leading consumer health company with our Headquarters based in Surrey, we were excited to promote STEM careers and give back to the community.”

You can find about more about the event on the Surrey Festival of Skills website.

Please note: the Surrey Festival of Skills is taking a break in 2025. There are lots of opportunities for young people to engage with employers in Surrey. Just contact the STEP Surrey team to discover more.