£500,000 Gateway funding provides opportunities for out-of-work young people in Carmarthenshire

Over half a million pounds of European and Assembly money has been invested into Carmarthenshire to provide pathways to employment for out-of-work young people in the county.

The money has been awarded to local organisations through the Engagement Gateway project which is run by Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA).

The Gateway project is investing in organisations across Wales to raise the skills and employability of economically inactive people and to support them into work.

Three Carmarthenshire organisations have accessed Gateway funding to provide opportunities for 248 out-of-work youngsters in the creative industries, wildlife and self-employment.

Each of the organisations are offering placements to young people that will prepare them for the world of work through training in work-based skills, mentoring and support into employment, education or further training.

Tir Coed is a countryside organisation based in West Wales that has won a Gateway contract to provide opportunities for young people interested in hands-on work in the natural environment.

Placements with Tir Coed are based at woodlands with public access and involve training in countryside management skills as well as traditional green woodwork techniques. Much of the work carried out will benefit the local community by improving access trails and constructing rustic furniture from wood.

Through the support of a project mentor, people taking part in the programme will be supported into employment, volunteering or further training. It also hopes to link those interested in woodland apprenticeships to a new course beginning in Coleg Sir Gâr next year.

The second Gateway project in Carmarthenshire is offering young people an opportunity to build confidence and a route out of unemployment by taking part in a performing arts programme.

Mess up the Mess Theatre Company offered its first placements in August and individuals on the programme have been writing a piece of theatre which they will perform with professional artists in Ammanford, Carmarthen and Llanelli at the end of the month.

The programme is targeting unemployed people aged 16-25 that want to improve their general communication, team-working and transferable work-based skills as well as those interested in pursuing an interest in performing arts.

Those who go through the programme will be supported towards work through links with local employers, and have the opportunity to become volunteer peer-leaders with the Theatre Company.

The third Gateway contract recently awarded in Carmarthenshire is targeted at young people interested in self-employment.

Mid and West Wales Chamber is a not-for-profit organisation based in Llanelli which provides services to help businesses grow and regenerate local communities. Through Gateway funding, they are offering six-month placements to young people that want to learn about self-employment.

The placements will teach individuals about the fundamentals of working for themselves, provide one-to-one support from business advisors and an opportunity to be linked to a local business for mentoring.

All three Gateway projects are now underway with the next round of placements becoming available in January.

Helen Mary Jones AM for Llanelli said: ‘This is fantastic news, and I’m very pleased that so much money has been invested into such a great local initiative. Young people have been particularly badly hit by the recession, and sadly there is an ever increasing need for this kind of service that the Gateway project offers.

‘It’s vital that young people learn and develop key skills in order to have a greater opportunity in finding a good job. I wish the local projects every success.’

WCVA Chief Executive Graham Benfield OBE added: ‘Gateway funding is creating opportunities like these across Wales for those affected by the economic downturn.

‘It’s vital that we continue to invest in skills and opportunities for people looking to get back into work.’

Anyone aged 16-25 interested in finding out more about any of the opportunities should contact the WCVA Helpdesk for further details on 0800 2888 329 or email gateway@wcva.org.uk.