Shailesh Vara MP has welcomed today’s announcement by the Department for Work and Pensions of £5.5 million of funding to create a Health and Care Sector Progression Academy for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

The Academy, which was agreed as part of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Devolution deal, will support some 2500 people by training those outside the care sector to gain employment and will also help those already in the health and care sector to progress. The Combined Authority will run the project and has contributed £2.2 million towards the scheme which will begin in October 2017 and continue until at least February 2021.

The scheme is one of 6 innovation pilots across the country which will help more than 18,000 people, including disabled and older people, by providing a package of tailored support.

Following the announcement, Mr Vara said:

“This is a welcome development and I am very pleased that the Government is supporting the Combined Authority’s vision on local employment.

The Academy will help a considerable number of people across the region who either already work in the health and care sector or are interested in doing so and will be a real boost to employers who are searching for quality staff.”