Yeovil College is helping to upskill the workforce by holding a duo of Skills Bootcamps to help employees improve their digital marketing and generative AI knowledge.
Skills Bootcamps are flexible, Government-funded courses designed to equip adults with in-demand digital and technical skills. They typically last up to 16 weeks and cater to individuals aged 19+ as well as employers seeking to upskill staff.
Yeovil College offers a variety of bootcamps, including digital marketing, leadership, engineering and electric vehicle technology, with more being developed.
The bootcamps are co-designed with employers to address skill shortages and ensure graduates have the skills necessary for career progression – a key part of Local Skills Improvement Plans. Participants benefit from practical learning and employment opportunities upon completion. 
Alex Clancy, Yeovil College’s Assistant Principal – Employer Engagement, said: “I’m extremely excited to be launching these new innovative Skills Bootcamps across Somerset.
“After the success of last year’s Skills Bootcamp in leadership and management and additive manufacturing, we are delighted to be launching new innovative courses in digital marketing and AI to businesses across the region seeking to enhance their employees’ skills in these key areas.
“These Skills Bootcamps will play a pivotal role in helping us deliver on emerging and current skills requirements for the region, all highlighted within the Devon and Somerset Local Skills Improvement Plan.”
The college is working with Techosaurus to deliver hands-on training in generative AI to help businesses harness the power of artificial intelligence.
Techosaurus uses generative AI every day to complete tasks and assist with daily operations and the team will be sharing these real-world skills with learners, showing exactly how AI can be leveraged to streamline work, enhance productivity and drive business growth.
Over the 10-week Generative AI Skills Bootcamp, learners will learn about the history and basics of AI, covering its evolution, how large language models like ChatGPT work, and common AI tools such as DALL-E, MidJourney, and Copilot.
They will explore AI applications for personal use and for business, learning how to integrate AI into strategies, identify growth opportunities and overcome challenges. There will also be a focus on marketing, customer segmentation, and report generation.
The course will take place ever Monday from November 4 to December 2 at the iAero Centre, Yeovil, from 9am to 4pm.
Thanks to Government funding, small and medium-sized businesses can benefit from a 90% funding support, reducing the cost of the course to just £349.90. Larger Companies (250+ employees) will be charged £1,049.70 after 70% funding.
Meanwhile, the college is also delivering a digital marketing Skills Bootcamp every Thursday, from 9am to 4.30pm, from November 7 to March 27 at the college.
Mastering digital marketing is crucial for any self-employed professional or business owner. By employing people with the right digital marketing skills, businesses can reach a wider audience, attract more customers through online channels, stand out in a crowded marketplace, boost sales and grow their brand.
The bootcamp will cover SEO (search engine optimisation), social media marketing, content creation and strategy, branding, analytics and data-driven marketing.
It will be led by industry experts and offer personalised guidance and mentorship, alongside flexible learning, with delivery either face-to-face or online.
Participants will be able to work on real-life projects relevant to their business, including developing a custom digital marketing strategy / business plan. The bootcamp will also offer networking opportunities and the chance to share insights and gain additional advice and guidance.
The skills bootcamp is free to attend if you are self-employed. Businesses which refer employees, will receive a 10% discount off the cost of training if they are a small business with under 250 employees or 30% if they are a large business with over 250 employees.
More information is available by telephoning Yeovil College on 01935 423921 or by emailing skills.bootcamp@yeovil.ac.uk.
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