A career and coaching scheme set up to boost the skills of workers in Bristol has been expanded to help people whose jobs and income have been affected by coronavirus.
Future Bright was set up two years ago by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) to improve the earning potential and income of around 3,000 across the region by providing tailored personal and professional development. 
With the coronavirus outbreak already causing widespread job losses, reduced hours and lay-offs – and with predictions of worse to come – the scheme has been widened to offer help through dedicated careers coaching and training to:
- Those made redundant, laid off or are at risk of redundancy as a result of the pandemic,
- Employees whose hours have been significantly reduced and who, therefore, have a lower income (e.g. zero hours, cut from full to part time),
- The self-employed, where their ability to earn has been severely impacted due to the nature of their business
- Furloughed employees if their reduced income means they are eligible for Universal Credit.
Future Bright is available to anyone aged 19 or over living in Bristol, South Gloucestershire or Bath & North East Somerset.
West of England Metro Mayor Tim Bowles, pictured, said: “I am determined that our residents get all the support they can through the current emergency. 
“I know people across the region are facing real challenges with changes to their employment and incomes, so I have expanded our Future Bright programme to make sure people can get the advice and support they need in these unprecedented times.
“This means residents affected by the pandemic now have a dedicated careers coach, free coaching and training to help them understand all the options available to them and make informed choices.”
The expanded Future Bright support for people affected by coronavirus will initially run for three months, at which point it will be reviewed, depending on continued need.
Find out more or sign up here, or contact the team at:
Bristol – futurebright@bristol.gov.uk or 0117 9222250
South Gloucestershire – future.bright@southglos.gov.uk or 01454 866008.
Future Bright is managed by the West of England Combined Authority and delivered locally by Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset councils.
