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E-mail this to a friendDeputy Minister for Skills, Jeff Cuthbert, today announced that £4m will be available for companies that have had to re-introduced short time working due to the supply issues as a result of the Japanese earthquake.
He said:
“We are aware that a number of businesses in the ESF convergence area have been affected by the recent events in Japan.
“Through this support businesses will be able to utilise any short time working arrangements to develop the skills of the workforce.
“The Welsh Government is keen to support companies and workers who were competitively viable until encountering theses difficulties. This scheme will enable companies to have the right training so that they are in a position to respond when business improves in the future.
“I am delighted we are once again able to move quickly to support Welsh businesses to come out of a difficult period stronger.”
ProAct, the first policy of its kind in the UK was launched in January 2009 to support businesses suffering from the recession and had introduced short time working.
The £48m European-funded scheme comprised of two complementary strands of support:
- Funding to support training that would place the company in an improved position to take advantage of the economic upturn.
- A wage subsidy that would support the company to retain key personnel and support the workforce when undertaking training activity.
Since then ProAct has supported over 10,400 individuals in over 250 businesses and has a funding commitment of over £27m. The scheme closed for new applications at the end of March 2011.
Aberdare-based Nissin Showa UK, who supply car parts to Honda, were one of the companies that benefited from the last round of ProACt and are likely to apply again.
They received support to allow 145 employees to undertake training during a downturn.
Nissin Showa general business manager, Paul Enoch, said:
“ProAct allowed us to keep on staff and provide them with valuable training during a difficult time for the business. The training has allowed us to look forward with more confidence.
“Its great news that this scheme will now be re-opened to assist businesses that have been affected by the Japanese earthquakes. Events like these cause problems to many businesses and are totally out of their hands. That’s why ProAct is so valuable to help Welsh companies come out stronger from such a downturn.”
Companies wishing to apply for ProAct support can contact the Business Skills Hotline on 0845 60 661 60 for further information or an application form. The scheme will be open for a period of three months for new applications.
