Welcome

Heart of the South West Skills Launchpad.

Skills Launchpad can help you find information about skills, careers, training and jobs in Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay.

We are the skills and employment hub for the Heart of the South West for those seeking employment, or a career change, employers seeking to upskill their staff, young people and their parents/carers and schools looking for careers advice.

Skills Launchpad encompasses the Heart of the South West Careers Hub and Digital Skills Partnership.

For resources specifically related to COVID-19 / Coronavirus, please visit Jobs Launchpad.

Skills

Apprenticeships, T-levels, skills for careers, qualification guides, training providers and more.

Jobs

Careers in the Heart of the South West, Careers Hub for schools, Apprenticeships, Sectors in the Heart of the South West, Support signposting.

Employers

Engage with young people, upskills and reskill, apprenticeships and T-levels.

Careers Hub

Working together with employers, educators and career professionals to help every young person to find their best next step.

Youth Hubs

Youth Hubs help Young People aged 16 – 24 access support services to help them become employed.

Visit Youth Hub Devon
Visit Youth Hub Plymouth

Digital Skills Partnership

Digital Skills Partnership is responsible for coordinating and delivering a digital strategy that raises digital skills for our community.

Train 4 Tomorrow Digital and Technical Bootcamps

#Train4Tomorrow offers free, high quality, digital and technical training to employed and unemployed adultsmore

Digital Maturity Index

This tool allows businesses to assess their own digital competency through an online assessment.More

Digital Course Finder

Find free and part-funded digital courses across Devon and the wider South Westmore

Digital Series

Skills programmes for young people, individuals and business leaders that support the need for digital skills across Devon and Somerset.more

Digital Leadership Training for small and medium businesses

Training to support senior leaders transform their business through digital. Availble to those in Devon, Plymouth, Somerset, and Torbay.More

Raising Digital Engagement at Key Stage 3

Providing aspirational support to encourage KS3 students into digital career pathways.more

Support

Information and signposting for people who are unemployed and for young people and their parents/ carers who are not in Education, Employment or training.

Local Skills Report

This report provides a shared skills blueprint for the area with a single vision at its heart.

What we do

Find our what we are doing and get involved.

What’s on

Find out about what’s happening with skills and employment in the Heart of the South West.

Our news and events can help you get involved with skills and careers in Devon, Plymouth, Somerset, and Torbay.

News

Learn Devon launches new programme

With over 100 exciting courses on offer for adult learners, Learn Devon will have something[...]

24 Jul
More training opportunities offered through Train4Tomorrow Skills Bootcamps

Four new training providers have joined the Train4Tomorrow Skills Bootcamps programme, providing even more training opportunities for[...]

05 Dec
Somerset and Dorset residents benefit from free training to boost earnings

Adults in Somerset and Dorset have already gained new skills and jobs in tech and[...]

23 Nov
Jobs fair to help South West employers tackle talent shortage

Local businesses are invited to attend a free virtual jobs fair on Tuesday 22nd November[...]

24 Oct
Free training helps South West adults move into growth sectors with higher earnings

Adults in Devon and Cornwall have the chance to gain skills in the region’s fastest-growing[...]

18 Oct
Devon Multiply Grant Scheme Launched

A new support programme is being launched to help adults in Devon to improve their[...]

07 Oct

Events

New ways to recruit and retain staff in 2023

You are invited to attend a free event for employers, organisations, and charities to find[...]

24 Apr
DESME Networking Event: The Future of Technology

Come along to our networking event at East Devon Business Centre in Honiton, to explore[...]

16 Sep
Boost your SME in September with our TikTok & Cyber Savvy Workshop!

Come along and meet with the Digital Enablement for SME’s (DESME) project team and find[...]

28 Sep
BGSW: Bring Your Kids To (Net)Work Day!

Building Growth South West brings you (in partnership with FreelanceMum): A day out for the[...]

19 Aug
Building Growth Southwest- DESME Concrete Mixer

An informal workshop session to bring together North Devon’s small construction businesses, with our trade[...]

22 Jul
Digital Skills- What do they mean to local businesses?

‘Digital Skills’ is not just about robotic automation or augmented reality… for many businesses it’s[...]

10 Jun