The Scarborough Town Investment Plan was submitted in 2020 and identified nine priority projects including FabLab+. On 3 March 2021, the government announced that Scarborough had been successful in securing funds from the Towns Deal and was awarded £20.2m.
The FabLab+ project aims to address an identified need for digital skills within the local economy to improve residents’ prospects – with digital skills now a near-universal requirement within the labour market – and support productivity improvements and economic diversification. The project will work with existing digital skills providers to support their work in helping to address this shortfall.
A range of outcomes are expected from the scheme. Delivery partners will be targeted on their ability to increase the number of the working-age population completing certified technical training courses and qualifications/apprenticeships. This will be achieved through the delivery of entry level digital skills support and employability training.