Young people back Swindon’s first Skills Strategy

Cabinet Members at Swindon Borough Council last night (10 Sep) approved the town’s first ever Swindon Skills Strategy, which is a five year-plan to support residents into work and help businesses to build the skilled workforces they need to thrive.

The strategy also aligns with national policies such as Skills England and the Government’s Get Britain Working White Paper, while it responds directly to the specific needs of Swindon’s communities and employers.

To inform the strategy, the Council spoke to more than 500 residents, employers, schools, colleges and community groups through a series of Let’s talk Skills engagement events.

Events were held in libraries and community venues. Employers attended dedicated workshops and young people shared their experiences through a youth-led project carried out by WAY at the BASE Youth Centre, supported by SMASH Youth Project and STEP.

The Swindon Skills Strategy 2025-2030 sets out five key priorities. These include:

• making advice about training and jobs easier to access
• supporting young people to succeed in education and employment
• ensuring learning and work opportunities are fair and inclusive
• working closely with employers to plan for future skills needs
• developing solutions in partnership with residents, schools, colleges, training providers, and businesses

To ensure the strategy is delivered, a new Skills Swindon Board will be established, bringing together the Council, employers, education providers, the NHS, government departments and the voluntary sector. The board will oversee a three-year action plan and monitor progress to ensure the strategy delivers real change.

The strategy has already received support from both young people and local employers, who welcomed the chance to shape the plan and are eager to see it put into action.

One of the Young Changemakers who works with WAY, said: “It feels really empowering that the Council wants to hear about our experiences and work with us in a meaningful way to shape things in Swindon so that others can have the best possible experience of growing up in Swindon.”

Councillor Adorabelle Amaral Shaikh, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “This strategy has been shaped by the voices of residents, young people and employers. People told us they want better advice, more inclusive opportunities, and stronger connections between education and employment.

“Our new Swindon Skills Strategy responds directly to that, and I’m excited to see it put into action so that we can build a fairer, greener and better Swindon.”