£20m investment for skills and growth for key industries

Over £20m of investment into skills and growth for key industries has been announced.

£11m of Government matched funding, awarded following the first round of bids to the Growth and Innovation Fund (GIF), will enable employers to deliver more effective skills solutions through more apprenticeships, new professional standards and closer partnerships with education and training providers.

Sectors including renewable energy, creative industries, hospitality, employment services and health will immediately benefit from GIF funding.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "Sustained economic recovery will depend on our ability to excel in the high tech skills that our most innovative companies need to compete in the globalised economy."

"That is why this Government is committed to skilling up our workforce through work based training. By providing concentrated seed funding for employer led projects that attract further investment from business, we’re targeting money where it will be best placed to drive growth."

Further information:
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills