£16 million EU-backed fund to get people on the jobs ladder

Finance and Government Business Minister, Jane Hutt, has today (Thursday 14 May) announced a £16 million EU-backed fund to support long-term unemployed and economically inactive people into work.

The £16 million Active Inclusion Fund, backed by £11.5 million of EU funds, will support over 7,000 people aged over 25 years in North and West Wales and the South Wales valleys over the next three years.

The fund will be managed by Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) and will support organisations to provide skills programmes and transitional employment opportunities in local areas.

The Minister announced the investment at a third sector event ‘Europe matters to Wales’ to celebrate the EU’s contribution to economic and social regeneration in Wales.

Active Inclusion will help improve the employment prospects of people who are long-term unemployed, as well as people facing barriers to employment through disabilities, low skills, or substance misuse problems.  Over 2,000 six-month work placements will be created to support their transition into sustainable employment.

By 2018, Active Inclusion will lead to over 4,000 new work-based qualifications and help over 3,500 people into work and others into further education and training.

Funding for eastern Wales is expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Finance Minister said:

“Wales benefits from some £500 million of EU funds annually to support jobs and growth, which includes investments to help increase skills and employment opportunities for thousands of vulnerable people across Wales.

“I’m delighted that this EU investment of over £11 million for Active Inclusion will make an important contribution to turning around people’s lives through essential training and employment opportunities. With a focus on helping those who have so far been locked out of the jobs market, this scheme will help make Wales a fairer, more prosperous and more inclusive society.”

WCVA Chief Executive, Ruth Marks, said:

“WCVA is delighted to be in a position to work with the third sector across Wales in making the best use of European funds.

“The combined track record and expertise of WCVA and the sector working together on helping to reduce inequality, tackle poverty and encourage people to maximise their potential will make the biggest impact on the lives of the individuals in the most need.”

Janine Downing, from Rhyl has already benefited from a previous EU-funded employment project led by WCVA. A temporary work placement as an administrative assistant with Conwy Furniture Reclaim gave Janine the skills and experience to successfully apply for a permanent job with WCVA in 2008 where she has since progressed to a role advising organisations on project management.

Janine said:

“WCVA gave me the opportunity to start in a role where I was able to prove myself and move up the ladder to where I am today. Without the skills I learnt through the EU-funded placement I would not have been able to achieve this.

“My time with Conwy Furniture Reclaim has given me passion and drive as I have first-hand experience of the difference these EU projects can make to peoples’ lives.”