Welsh Government support for ex- Remploy workers extended
17 Apr 2014 03:56 PM
The Welsh Government has extended the deadline
for employers looking to apply to a highly successful support package that
helps former Remploy workers find new jobs, it was announced
today.
In
2012 the UK Government revealed plans to close the Remploy factories across
Wales. In response the Welsh Government took action and launched the
Employer Support Grant (ESG) scheme to offer financial support for employers
looking to provide work to eligible disabled Remploy workers. The policy is
supported with more than £2 million of funding.
The
scheme was due to come to an end in April this year, but Welsh Ministers have
decided to extend the deadline for applications to September 2014. The move
also means that recruitment into jobs supported through the grant can go on
until March 2015.
The
latest figures show that so far the policy has helped 221 former Remploy
workers find new work in over 80 businesses. The panel that decides who
receives the support has also approved 177 more posts, giving hope to disabled
former Remploy staff still searching for work. It has also supported several
start-up businesses, founded by disabled former Remploy workers, among them a
new co-operative in Swansea and a successful management-led buyout in the
Rhondda.
Making the announcement, Communities and Tackling
Poverty Minister Jeff Cuthbert said:
“We opposed the decision to close the Remploy
factories in Wales from the start. We asked the UK Government to take a more
constructive approach, including handing us responsibility for Remploy in Wales
and an appropriate share of the budget.
“When this was rejected we took action to help
those who faced unemployment. 221 former Remploy workers have now found new
jobs through our support. We are now extending the time businesses can apply to
our scheme to make sure all those disabled former Remploy workers who could
benefit have the opportunity to access new employment supported by the grant.
We will continue to work tirelessly to help all those affected by the closure
of Remploy to find fulfilling and accessible
employment.”