A Leeds-based education company has joined forces with the Mayor of West Yorkshire to connect more adults with careers in telecoms.
Through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, a £1m funding boost has been given to Aim2Learn to train adults in level 3 telecommunications.
Eligible adults across West Yorkshire can benefit from these new fully-funded courses where they will not only experience hands-on learning at Aim2learn’s new base on Queen Street, but also get access to job application support and potential employers.
It’s all part of the Mayor and combined authority’s long term plans to tackle skills gaps in the county and give adults an educational boost.
Aim2Learn has secured partnerships with key telecoms employers where graduate learners may get the chance to secure interviews, including Circet UK and GSH Datacomms.
Stuart Littlewood, Managing Director of Aim2Learn, said: “This is a brilliant project as it combines giving people a chance of a new career while backing West Yorkshire’s economic growth ambitions. Aim2Learn is perfectly positioning to deliver this.
“There’s an incorrect perception among some that telecoms is fading away, but it’s the exact opposite. It connects everything and it’s never been more important to the UK and our economy.
“The need for skilled engineers will only grow as stats from the UK Telecoms Innovation Network (UKTIN) show that 60% of engineers are over 50, only 5% are under 35 and just 3% are female – there’s an aging workforce and work needs to start now to widen that scope.”
Many key sectors rely heavily on telecoms infrastructure to support their business systems and processes, from stable internet connectivity and data transfer to digital bookings.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “We’re creating a region of learning and creativity here in West Yorkshire, where everyone can get the skills they need to secure good work, put more money in their pockets, and lead happy and fulfilling lives.
“This targeted investment to train hundreds of new telecoms engineers demonstrates the power of devolution to raise employment levels and reduce skills shortages.
“By working with the colleges and education providers that know their communities best, we’re backing businesses, boosting skills, and building a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire.”
Drew Cairns, Recruitment Lead for Circet Home, said: “Circet has been working with Aim2Learn for a number of years now to take on learners and help shape them into key members of our organisation. Our work is vital in connecting businesses and homes, so we need good quality candidates for our roles.
“As a result, we recruited more than 40 graduate learners from Aim2Learn in 2025 alone and look forward to continuing this relationship as they come to us well trained and grounded in all the key aspects of telecoms – ready for us to integrate and train them in specific telecoms jobs at Circet.”
For more on Aim2Learn see www.aim2learn.org and for more on the Mayor of West Yorkshire see www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/the-mayor
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Image caption: Aim2Learn graduates Ben (l), Madalina (r) now with Circet, alongside Drew Cairns of Circet (centre) in Leeds.
