Coming to the End of Our First Financial Literacy Skills Bootcamp Cohort
As we come to the end of the first cohort of our Financial Literacy Skills Bootcamp, it feels like the right moment to pause, reflect, and recognise just how much has been achieved over the past few weeks.
This cohort brought together learners from a wide range of backgrounds, including those returning to work, changing careers, building confidence after time away from education, and exploring self-employment. What united them was a shared commitment to developing practical, real-world financial skills that can be applied immediately in both personal and professional contexts.
Building Confidence Through Practical Learning
From day one, the focus of the Bootcamp has been on confidence, clarity, and application. Learners engaged with core areas such as budgeting, financial planning, understanding payslips and taxation, credit and debt management, pricing, and the financial realities of employment and self-employment.
Equally important were the employability elements woven throughout the programme, CV development, interview preparation, understanding workplace expectations, and exploring progression routes. For many learners, this was the first time financial concepts truly felt accessible and relevant to their own lives.
Growth Beyond the Curriculum
One of the most rewarding aspects of this cohort has been seeing learners grow not just in knowledge, but in self-belief. Confidence increased week by week, questions became more ambitious, and discussions more reflective. Several learners have taken concrete next steps already, securing interviews, opening business bank accounts, refining self-employment ideas, or planning further training and qualifications.
This progress would not have been possible without the wider support network around the Bootcamp. We are incredibly grateful to our Business Mentors and employer partners, who gave their time, insight, and encouragement, helping learners understand how financial literacy translates directly into the workplace and business decision-making.
Looking Ahead
As this first cohort draws to a close, our focus now turns to progression and sustainability, ensuring learners are supported beyond the Bootcamp and that the skills gained continue to have long-term impact. Lessons learned from this cohort will directly inform future delivery, strengthening content, learner support, and employer engagement.
We are proud of every learner who committed their time, energy, and effort to this programme. Completing a Skills Bootcamp is no small achievement, and each participant should feel confident about the progress they have made and the options now open to them.
Thank you to everyone involved in making this first cohort such a success. We look forward to building on this strong foundation as we prepare for future cohorts and continue supporting adults across the region to build financial confidence, resilience, and opportunity.
