Improving skills and job opportunities for Wakefield residents
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
An ambitious plan to improve skills, employment opportunities, and access to good jobs for residents of all ages, including young people, is set to get the go-ahead by Wakefield’s key decision makers.
“A highly skilled workforce is essential to the future success of our area. We want to strengthen routes into education, training, and employment for everyone, wherever they live.
“When local people can access skills and training opportunities, they get better paid and more secure jobs. And we create a pipeline of talent for our great local businesses to succeed.
“This is about delivering on one of our key priorities – improve opportunities for young people so that they have a brighter future and can achieve their potential.
“But it’s also about residents of all ages having access to the skills, training, and support they need to get more secure employment and progress in their careers.”
Cllr Andrew Wakefield
Cabinet Member for Strategic Housing, Skills and Business Growth
As a recognised UNESCO Learning City, Wakefield is committed to ensuring that lifelong learning is accessible to all residents. The Employment and Skills Plan (2026-2029) puts this commitment into action. It connects the district’s key assets, organisations, and opportunities to create better outcomes for people, communities, and businesses.
It sets out how the Council, partners and employers will work together to improve skills and create better employment opportunities. It has been developed in response to skills challenges, changes in the labour market, and future funding opportunities.
The Plan is aligned with the Wakefield Futures report and the recently launched Economic Growth Plan. So that residents have the skills, support, and opportunities needed to contribute to and benefit from economic growth. And businesses can access the skilled workforce they need to grow and succeed across the district.
The new approach places a stronger focus on helping young people to thrive, particularly those facing barriers to education, training, and employment. Through targeted support and improved pathways into learning and work, it will help more young people build brighter futures. It will support the district’s transition to a higher-skill economy with better-paid opportunities for residents.
The Plan also sets out how employers, schools and partners can raise aspirations and improve future employment opportunities in high-growth sectors of our local economy. These include advanced manufacturing, logistics, and the creative industries, which are expected to drive the district's future success. It also considers the barriers residents face in accessing these opportunities, including transport and cost.
The Cabinet will be discussing the new plan at the meeting on Tuesday 22 September at 5.30pm. Watch the meeting live or later at: https://www.youtube.com/@WakefieldCouncilWMDC/streams