Businesses invited to access funded workforce training and backfill support

The Job Rotation Programme helps businesses invest in workforce development while maintaining day-to-day operations. It enables employees to undertake training, upskilling, or professional development opportunities, while their role is temporarily filled by a recruited jobseeker during the training period.

A successful Coventry City Council pilot, funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and, delivered between 2024 and 2025 demonstrated the programme's impact.

The project engaged a range of large employers and SMEs across multiple sectors, supporting 64 employees to access training and career development opportunities while enabling 72 jobseekers to move into paid employment through backfill placements.

Following the pilot's success, the programme has officially returned in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions and is once again funded by the WMCA. Running until December 2027, it will operate across the West Midlands, including Birmingham, Coventry, Solihull and the Black Country, providing businesses with opportunities to develop skills, improve staff retention and strengthen workforce capability. Launch events are taking place across the region with the first taking place on 17 September.

Participating employers identify staff members who would benefit from training or career progression opportunities. A temporary replacement is then recruited and matched to the role. Once training is completed, employees return to their roles equipped with new skills and knowledge.

The programme also creates valuable opportunities for local jobseekers, providing paid work experience, helping them develop employability skills and improving their prospects of securing long-term employment.

Available to SMEs operating within advanced manufacturing and innovation sectors, the programme supports industries including electric vehicle and battery technologies, green industries, health technologies, digital and AI, aerospace, defence, advanced materials, robotics, pharmaceuticals, agri-tech and precision engineering.

Funding is available to participating employers to support implementation costs and encourage long-term workforce development.

Interested in joining the programme? Find out how your business could benefit by completing an enquiry form or meeting the team at one of the upcoming events, starting in Birmingham on 17 September. Learn more and register here.