Training and Employment Needs to be Tackled by New ESF Funding Injection for London
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Londoners are set to benefit from a new funding injection of some £35 million through the European Social Funding (ESF) initiative that will be launched today by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).
The LSC Pan London 2 (PL2) programme funding will be allocated to meet the continuing skills for employment challenges in London. From the £35 million, approximately £24 million will be focused on helping those who are described as “workless” (unemployed) to gain employment. Amongst the priorities of the programme is to bring more options and opportunities to the unemployed and the inactive through training opportunities and encouragement to train and then find work.
Further priorities include increasing the supply of Level 3 vocational training toemployees, helping to build higher skills levels and the qualifications required for Londoners to compete successfully in the workplace and economy. Level 3 training is to be focussed on sectors most likely to experience shortfalls in the supply of qualified labour, an issue covered right here at FE News. The highest priority sectors for Level 3 support are construction, retail, leisure and tourism, health and social care.
Ministerial Delight at Funding Project
The Parliamentary under Secretary of State for the Department for Work andPensions James Plaskitt MP said of the development: “This programme will have a huge impact on Londoners” lives, giving people chances they may not otherwise have had, which in turn will strengthen communities and give job opportunities to more people than ever.
“Projects developed as a result of this funding will provide the potential for people to obtain qualifications to find a job,” he continued. “This investment by ESF supports the Government’s strategy to achieve employment opportunity for all, therefore building a fairer and more inclusive society.”
Mary Conneely, the Regional Director of Regeneration for the London LSC, said: “The first Pan London ESF programme worth £29.5 million has already helped over 8,000 Londoners into training. ESF has enhanced the life prospects of many people and boosted the supply of skilled labour to the London economy. 14,439 people have gained a qualification through LSC co-financed ESF projects in London since 2002 and over 4,300 have found employment as a result”¦an amazing feat and a trend that can continue with this injection of funding through the Pan London 2 programme. We congratulate all our partners for their innovation and hard work to deliver this.”
Jethro Marsh
Welcome the funding injection and look to the future in the FE Blog
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