£1 million for scheme to help long-term unemployed into work and training

8 Jan 2015 01:01 PM

Communities and Tackling Poverty Minister, Lesley Griffiths, has announced over £1 million funding for the Welsh Government’s Lift Programme, which is helping long-term unemployed people into work and training.

yesterday’s announcement came as new figures show the scheme has now provided 1,000 training and employment opportunities to people from Welsh households where no-one is in work, since its launch nine months ago.

The £1,063,271 funding will support the continuation of the programme until 31 March 2016, enabling even more people facing employment barriers – such as young single parents, disabled people, and adults with no qualifications – to benefit from its dedicated one-to-one support.

The funding is also supporting the extension of the Lift delivery area in Caerphilly to include the Upper Rhymney Valley Communities First Cluster, allowing the team to build on the progress already made in the Caerphilly Basin Cluster area.

The Minister yesterday visited the NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership in Nantgarw to meet four people who have been helped by the Lift Programme and are undertaking work experience placements there.

Lesley Griffiths said yesterday:

“Today we are marking an important milestone – providing 1,000 training and employment opportunities to people from workless households in Wales.  We are rightly proud of this significant achievement, however we are not resting on our laurels.

“I’m delighted to announce a further £1 million for the continuation of the programme, which will allow it to build on this success and ensure even more people can receive its dedicated, one-to-one support.

“We know employment is the best route out of poverty, enabling people to live stable, fulfilled lives. Lift is proving to be truly life-changing for many people across Wales.”

As part of the event, the Minister will meet people who have benefitted from the Lift Programme, including Tanya Jones, a 42 year old single parent from Caerphilly who had been unemployed and suffering from ongoing health issues.

After joining the scheme, Tanya was encouraged to apply for one of a number of available work placement opportunities with NHS Wales. Tanya was successful in gaining a 35 hour per week placement. She has subsequently secured a full time contract for 6 months as receptionist in the NHS.

Tanya said:

“The Lift Programme is a great programme that has helped me to find full time work.  I feel that without this support and the links to organisations such as NHS Wales myself and others would still be in search of support with training and employment”.

The programme is being delivered in nine areas across Wales, where Lift mentors work with local people from workless households, identifying reasons why they are not in work and providing support to help overcome those issues. Mentors remain in contact with participants for up to 12 months after they start in their new job or training placement to offer them support and help.

The ambitious programme aims to provide 5,000 training and employment opportunities for households where no-one is in work by the end of 2017.

Related Links

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