The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership has announced a £2.5 million investment in skills training to help create the workforce of the future.

Herefordshire and Ludlow College, Telford College, the Shrewsbury Colleges Group, North Shropshire College and Derwen College at Oswestry will all receive funding for a series of innovative new training programmes to boost the region’s skills base.

Ian Oakes, Marches LEP board member (www.marcheslep.org.uk), said: “The funding — under the LEP’s Investing in our Future Workforce project — will ensure that the region is equipped with the cutting-edge skills needed in the modern economy.

It will help to create more than 1,500 new apprentices and 4,100 short courses, with the colleges working with up to 360 employers to make sure that skills delivery is meeting the needs of both business and education.

“It is absolutely vital that this region has the necessary skills and training to enable it to thrive and prosper in this fast-changing world, and we have been working with our partners in education and industry to develop a strategy to deliver just that.

"This funding will help to develop a wide-ranging programme of courses that will target the gaps in existing provision.

"It will make sure that people in work can update their skills, and that our youngsters leave education fully equipped to play their part in developing a vibrant and thriving regional economy.”

The funding for the project was awarded to the Marches LEP via its Growth Deal with the Government.

Between 2012 and 2037, the Marches LEP will help to create 20,000 higher-skilled jobs as it tackles the challenge of an ageing workforce and a growing retired population.