SOFIAH NICHOLE SALIVIO

News Editor

iMeta Training has secured an extension to its Skills Boot Camp contract with the West Midlands Combined Authority for a data-focused programme for learners in the region.

The 11-week part-time Digital Business Services course leads to the CompTIA Data+ certification and covers data collection, analysis, visualisation and governance. The latest cohort opened with 35 fully funded places for eligible learners.

The extension comes as demand for data skills rises among employers and people seeking a route into digital work. Interest in the subject has increased in recent months as businesses look more closely at how data and artificial intelligence are used in day-to-day operations.

The West Midlands Combined Authority funds the programme as part of a wider effort to address digital skills shortages across the region. Regional leaders have also set out ambitions to make the West Midlands a leading location for AI skills training in the UK.

The course is aimed at a broad group, including career changers, people returning to work and business professionals who want to make more data-led decisions. It covers the full data lifecycle, from preparation and analysis to governance and ethical handling.

Artificial intelligence is also built into the course structure, with AI learning modules embedded across all iMeta programmes. This makes data training part of a wider shift in what employers expect from digital recruits.

Mohammed Zur, Founder and Chief Executive of iMeta Training, said: “We are seeing strong demand for data skills from both learners and employers across the West Midlands. “Employers including some of the world’s leading technology companies are recognising data analytics as a core business skill, and jobs in this field continue to grow. “Through our partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority, iMeta is taking the initiative to ensure people in this region are equipped to fill those roles.”

Zur linked that demand to a broader change in hiring, comparing the current rise in interest in data qualifications to the surge in Microsoft certifications around the turn of the millennium, when digital credentials became an increasingly important part of career progression.

Jobs pipeline

Training providers and local authorities have come under pressure to show that short digital courses lead to measurable job outcomes. Against that backdrop, iMeta pointed to employment and progression figures from its wider programme base.

Across its courses, eight out of ten learners go on to secure a new job in their chosen field, gain a promotion or progress into further education, according to iMeta. Among Boot Camp participants, half have moved directly into work or secured a promotion.

Former learners have progressed into roles at organisations including Mercedes-Benz, Network Rail, Capgemini and the UK Civil Service. Dedicated progression and employer engagement teams also support learners with CV writing, interview preparation and links to job opportunities.

The contract extension underlines the continued role of local public funding in digital retraining, particularly for adults seeking to move into growth sectors without taking on the cost of full-time study. Skills Boot Camps have become one of the main ways regional authorities can respond more quickly to changes in labour demand.

That is especially relevant in data and AI-related roles, where employers increasingly want workers who can understand datasets, use analytical tools and handle information responsibly. For smaller businesses as well as large employers, those skills are no longer confined to specialist technology teams.

Founded in the West Midlands in 2018, iMeta focuses on digital training in areas including AI, project management, data, IT and cyber security. Its work with combined authorities, employers and community partners reflects a wider push to align short-form training with vacancies that can be filled locally.