WIREDGOV

A new £7 million project to tackle unemployment amongst over 25 year olds in the South Wales valleys will be announced today (Monday 24 August) by Finance and Government Business Minister, Jane Hutt.

The Bridges into Work 2 project, which will be led by Torfaen Council and backed by £5.4 million of EU funds, will support out-of-work people in Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil and Torfaen.

The three-year project will provide intensive training and one-to-one mentoring to improve the skills and employability of over 2,000 people who are long-term unemployed or economically inactive.

People taking part in the project will be offered support with job search, CV writing and personal presentation skills, as well as vocational training and opportunities to gain formal qualifications.

Additional support and solutions for people with work-limiting health conditions, childcare needs and transport difficulties will also be provided.

The project aims to help over 400 people directly back into work, and more than 1,000 to achieve new qualifications.  Hundreds more will benefit from improved employability and support with job-seeking.

The Finance Minister will announce the EU funding at Pontypool Community Education Centre, which will host training and mentoring sessions as part of the project.

Finance Minister, Jane Hutt, said:

“Wales benefits from around £500 million of EU funds annually to strengthen our economy, invest in business and create opportunities for people to develop new skills and careers.

“I’m delighted that EU funding will support the next phase of Bridges into Work, which will help remove the barriers that prevent people getting into work and tackle economic inactivity in the South Wales valleys.”

Leader of Torfaen Council, Cllr Bob Wellington said:

“We're thrilled we are able to launch Bridges into Work 2 with the extra EU funding through the Welsh Government.

“Across South Wales, thousands of people were helped in their journey towards employment from the first Bridges into Work project. This time the project will concentrate the support to our residents aged 25 or older and who are long term unemployed or economically inactive.”

The Finance Minister will today also attend the official opening of the new National Lido of Wales in Pontypridd.  With the support of £3 million of EU funds from the previous European Programmes, the Lido has been transformed into a first-class visitor attraction.