Up to 3,000 people across the West of England will get help to increase their skills and opportunities as a result of £3.9m government devolution funding.
The investment, from the Department of Work and Pensions, will pay for a two-and-a-half-year Innovation Pilot starting next January which aims to support tenants in social housing into secure, more meaningful and better-paid careers. 
It will be managed by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and delivered by the three council which make up WECA – Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire – working with housing associations and registered social landlords.
Skills navigators will be appointed to work with eligible people to help them improve their earning potential and income by providing tailored personal and professional development.
West of England Mayor Tim Bowles welcomed the funding. He said: “It will help grow our skills base to ensure a stronger economy and higher quality of life for all.
“Through this scheme, we will work with individuals who are already in employment, claiming in-work benefits and are social housing tenants. We will help them raise their own skill levels and gain more secure and higher-quality jobs.
“I am committed to improving people’s skills and supporting our residents to benefit from the prosperity and opportunities available in the West of England region.”
Work & Pensions Secretary David Gauke said: “We have record numbers of people in work, which is great news, but there are still people missing out on the available opportunities because of barriers to employment.
“This new scheme for the West of England will help us explore further ways we can help local people to get into, and remain in work.
“This pilot is yet another step forward in our efforts to help people of all backgrounds enjoy the benefits of work, and will boost the wide-ranging support we currently offer through local experts like Jobcentre Plus.”
Last week WECA launched a discussion document on its new draft economic strategy, which aims to build a world-class, skilled workforce in the region, including developing innovative ways for people to unlock their potential.
The West of England will receive £900m in central government funding over the next 30 years under a devolution agreement that hands back powers in areas such as skills and infrastructure from Westminser to the region.
