Leeds City College and Leeds Business Improvement District offer courses for furloughed or redundant adults to improve job prospects

Leeds City College and LeedsBID are putting on courses for those who face redundancy or are on furlough

The courses are aimed at adults aged 19 or over who have been furloughed, made redundant or are at risk of redundancy.

They will help people develop new skills, enhance their existing skills and offer guidance to navigate the job market.

The courses are classroom-based and online in subjects such as digital and IT skills, business admin, customer service, security, warehousing and storage with an aim to upskill and reskill.

Chief Executive of LeedsBID, Andrew Cooper, said it was important to support the city centre and the people who work in it, especially looking at helping those in difficult circumstances.

He added: “Due to a number of factors, COVID-19 included, we do find the constantly changing landscape of the city centre and it is essential we support businesses and those who work in them affected as a result.

“By working together with Leeds City College, we can ensure people, who find themselves facing furlough, redundancy or at risk of redundancy, can get help and support to consider their options going forward, enhance existing skills and learn additional ones to best prepare themselves for new opportunities.”

Joe Donovan, Business Engagement Advisor at Leeds City College said: “The rise in redundancies in the last eight months has highlighted how fundamental FE Colleges are in driving training opportunities that will help learners gain the necessary qualifications to meet market demand post-pandemic.

“Leeds City College wants to be at the forefront of the response to unemployment, furlough and redundancy by supporting businesses and individuals to upskill and reskill by gaining qualifications, knowledge and skills that are fit for the future.

“By partnering with LeedsBID to offer advice and guidance about adult education from their city centre hub, we hope to encourage businesses and individuals to take advantage of the courses and funding available to them to improve their future prospects."

Open surgeries are being held on Wednesday December 9 and 16 and every Wednesday throughout January between 9am and 4pm.

These are at City Exchange - floor 6, 11 Albion Street, LS1 5ES.