We are delighted to announce that Knowle West Media Centre has been awarded a share of NatWest’s £2.5 million Skills and Opportunities Fund.

We have been awarded £23,965 to provide workshops at our training and making space KWMC The Factory. These workshops will support 120 people, particularly those currently under-represented in enterprise, to develop the skills and knowledge to thrive in the manufacturing and making industries.

KWMC is one of three organisations selected in the South West, alongside I Can Do That CIC in Torquay and West Devon Business Information Point in Okehampton. The Skills & Opportunities Fund ‘supports organisations in disadvantaged communities that help people develop, create, or access the skills and opportunities they need to get into work or start a business.’ Charities, not-for-profit organisations and state-funded schools and colleges can apply for up to £35,000 each for a specific project from the fund.

Oliver Watts, Chairman of NatWest’s South West and Wales Regional Board, said: “It was a challenging decision because of the standard of entries we received. But the panel felt that all of the organisations would make a massive impact in their local communities.”

We know that satisfaction with local jobs is very low in our area – around 12% in the latest neighbourhood statistical report – and this funding will enable us to support more people to explore the possibilities of self-employment. Over the next few months we’ll be delivering a range of skills development workshops in digital fabrication, prototyping and product design, and we’re looking forward to supporting more local people, from all backgrounds, to make it in business.

A huge thank you to everyone who voted for KWMC in the public vote and helped to spread the word about our programme.  Watch this space for more information…

If you’d like to register your interest in the ‘Making it in Business’ workshops please contact Justin Ricks on 0117 903 0444 or justin.ricks@kwmc.org.uk

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