Powering Skills for the West Midlands Workforce
The West Midlands has a diverse economy and aims for inclusive growth, productivity, and future success.
At NCFE, we work with providers, employers, and local groups to understand changing job market needs, sector focuses, and learning barriers.
This local insight allows us to create practical learning solutions for learners, employers, and the region.
By tackling Adult Skills Fund priorities and building employer-led programs, we help learners gain skills for jobs, career growth, and adapting to a changing economy.
Ready to strengthen your provision and meet local demand? Partner with us today.
The West Midlands Skills Agenda
What is the WMCA seeking to achieve?
The WMCA skills strategy supports delivery of its Regional Economic Plan and devolved skills agenda by creating a workforce that is:
- Productive – enabling growth in priority sectors
- Inclusive – widening participation and reducing inequalities
- Resilient – adapting to economic and technological change
- Sustainable – supporting net zero and green transition
Find out more
Supporting regional productivity
Building the right technical, vocational, and digital skills helps employers fill gaps. It boosts productivity and supports growth in the West Midlands.
Preparing people for changing opportunities
The region needs a strong pipeline of skilled, work-ready individuals. Their skills must match what employers want. Connecting education with industry needs can help people find new opportunities. It also supports businesses in recruiting the talent they require.
Helping people adapt and progress
As technology, industries and working practices change, transferable skills are becoming increasingly important. Providing opportunities to develop new skills can help people adapt, retrain and continue progressing throughout their working lives.
Expanding access to employment
Skills development helps widen participation and reduce barriers to learning and jobs. It enables more people to access good, sustainable work.What are the main priorities for the West Midlands?
The WMCA Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) and regional priorities focus on the following key sectors:
Priority sectors
- Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering
- Construction (including housebuilding and retrofit)
- Digital and Technology
- Health and Social Care
- Logistics and Distribution
- Green Industries and Net Zero
Cross-cutting priorities
- Digital skills (basic to advanced)
- Employability and work readiness
- English, maths and essential skills
- Leadership and management
- Green skills across all sectors
- Supporting progression into good, sustainable employment
How can NCFE support the West Midlands?
NCFE offers a broad portfolio of qualifications aligned to WMCA priorities and sector demand.
Sector specific qualifications
| Sector | Qualifications | |
|---|---|---|
| Green Energy and Net Zero | Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Climate Change and Environmental Awareness (603/5683/2) | Level 3 Certificate in Championing Sustainability in the Workplace (610/0143/0) |
| Health and Social Care | View our suite of Health and Social Care qualifications | |
| Business and Professional Services | View our suite of Business and Professional Services qualifications | |
| Digital & Technology | View our suite of Digital qualifications | |
General skills (level 1)
General Skills (level 1) are mapped to units from Level 1 Employability Skills and Level 1 Occupational Studies. Access all our preparation for work and employability qualifications.
| NCFE Employability skills | NCFE Occupational Studies | |
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| Communication and customer service |
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| Project management and teamwork |
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| Self-management, time management, and organisational skills |
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| Confidence, creativity, adaptability, and resilience |
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| Critical thinking, planning and problem solving |
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| Business skills and interview techniques |
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| Digital literacy |
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| Microsoft suite |
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General Skills (level 2)
General Skills Level 2 is mapped to units from Level 2 Employability Skills and Level 2 Occupational Studies. Find out more about our preparation for work and employability qualifications.
| NCFE Employability skills | NCFE Occupational Studies | |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Communication and Presentation Skills |
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| Project management and teamwork |
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| Self-management, time management, and organisational skills |
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| Confidence, creativity, adaptability, and resilience |
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| Critical thinking, planning and problem solving |
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| Business skills and interview techniques |
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| Digital literacy |
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| Microsoft suite |
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Essential & Higher-level digital skills
Digital skills are increasingly important across the West Midlands economy. As technology and AI become more embedded in the workplace, learners need the digital capability to access employment, progress in their careers and adapt to changing job requirements.
NCFE can support by supplying a wide coverage of these skills from the cross-cutting essential skills to specific higher digital skills providing pathways into jobs.
Click here to view our suite of Digital Skills qualifications.
Green Skills (Key WMCA priority)
Embedded across sectors to support net zero ambitions:
- Environmental awareness
- Sustainable construction and retrofit
- Low carbon technologies
- Sustainable business practices
General skills (embedded across sectors)
NCFE offer a wide range of standalone units across multiple sector areas. They provide flexible opportunities to support employability, workforce development and personal progression. Discover standalone units.
| Workplace skills | Digital skills | |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Manufacturing | Problem solving, teamwork, precision, adaptability | Automation systems, data handling |
| Construction | Communication, teamwork, health & safety, self-management | Basic IT, digital tools for construction |
| Digital & Technology | Innovation, collaboration, critical thinking | Coding, data analysis, cyber security |
| Health & Social Care | Communication, empathy, record keeping | IT systems, care technologies |
| Logistics & Distribution | Organisation, time management, teamwork | Tracking systems, basic IT |
| Green Industries | Adaptability, collaboration, sustainability mindset | Data monitoring, digital modelling |
| Cross-cutting | Communication, resilience, planning, teamwork | Basic IT, Microsoft tools, online collaboration |
Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs)
Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) provide a flexible way for providers to respond to local recruitment and skills needs.
Programmes can be shaped around particular employers, sectors and occupations, combining industry knowledge, practical skills and preparation for the workplace. This can help learners build confidence and develop the capabilities they need to move towards employment.
NCFE qualifications can support SWAP delivery that reflects local labour market requirements and the priority areas identified through Local Skills Improvement Plans.
Find out more about our SWAPs offer.
Where is the information I need?
Across the West Midlands, a range of stakeholders provide insight and collaboration opportunities:
Key organisations
- West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA)
- Local Enterprise Partnerships / Growth Hubs
- Chambers of Commerce (Greater Birmingham, Black Country, Coventry & Warwickshire)
- Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) partnerships
- Sector bodies and employer groups
Why engage?
- Stay aligned to Adult Skills Fund priorities
- Respond to employer demand
- Shape relevant curriculum provision
- Access regional collaboration and funding opportunities
Useful links
Other useful sites to visit include:
West Midlands Combined Authority (Skills & Employment) /
West Midlands Growth Plan Growth for everyone